Is it time now to tighten up on the many liberal conventions of Parliament that have been for long weaponised by parties to hinder even the essential functioning of the institution? Are the politicians not aware of how much it costs the people of the country to have this large number of elected representatives make a mockery of their responsibilities, even while shamelessly enjoying the numerous privileges? Or, will the situation deteriorate to the point where measures like those taken by Israel’s Netanyahu against the judiciary become the natural consequence? How can the people of Manipur be blamed for unleashing anarchy, when the highest seat of power functions like a classroom full of unruly students giving the teacher a hard time?
When was the last time that a truly erudite and far-sighted speech was heard in either of the Sabhas? What can the reason be for such comfort with poor quality representation? This clearly reflects some basic flaws in Indian democracy. It seems that the overwhelming role played by money in the election process has institutionalised corruption and allows access only to those who can function from within that system. Those who attempt reform face increasing levels of backlash.
What pathetic level of sophistication must people’s representatives have to believe that unruly behaviour impresses their constituents? It cannot be said that despite all the ruckus in Parliament, the people are any better informed on any of the important issues, be it Manipur, the ordinance on Delhi, and the various bills on specific issues being sought to be passed. Everybody seems convinced that the people are impressed by that one minute of attention catching behaviour, repeated endlessly on TV and social media, however senseless it might be.
Can anybody in Manipur be happy with the fact that the state is now destined to fall abysmally behind in the development stakes for, at least, a couple of decades, no matter what the outcome of the present contretemps? Punjab was the nation’s leading state on many parameters before the Khalistan virus entered. Now, it struggles to keep its head above water. All such troubles are the result of greed, and pursuit of vested interests, and all that talk about principles is shown to be hollow by the behaviour visible on the highest forums, every day. The people must recognise, as early as possible, the direction the nation must take and put their weight behind the few that are trying to be different.
