By Col Bhaskar Bharti (Retd)
The recent chaos inside the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly has left citizens deeply disheartened and questioning the quality of their elected representatives. What should have been a dignified session commemorating the state’s Silver Jubilee celebrations, of debate and dialogue, turned instead into a spectacle of shouting, personal jibes, and disregard for parliamentary norms. The House, often described as the temple of democracy, was reduced to an arena of confrontation and disgrace.
Speaker Rita Khanduri Bhushan was very upset and condemned the state of chaos and behavior of the members. Her stern observations carried both authority and anguish. “The Assembly is not a battleground for personal egos. It is a platform for constructive debate,” she asserted, reminding members of their constitutional duty and the dignity the House demands. Her words struck a chord with citizens who felt betrayed by their leaders’ conduct.
The lack of discipline, civility, and mutual respect among legislators highlights the disturbing decline in moral and intellectual standards among those in public life. Instead of setting an example of maturity, many MLAs appeared more interested in theatrics and disruption. Such behaviour reflects not only a poor grasp of democratic ethics but also a narrow, self-serving mindset that undermines the very essence of governance.
Ironically, these disgraceful scenes unfolded as Uttarakhand celebrates its Silver Jubilee – marking 25 years of its creation. What should have been a moment of unity and reflection has been overshadowed by political immaturity and indiscipline. The incident has left a dark stain on the state’s democratic image.
For ordinary citizens, already weary from years of mismanagement, corruption, and ecological neglect, this episode adds to a growing sense of disillusionment. The plains-hill divide, rampant corruption, and disregard for environmental concerns continue to widen public frustration. The people who once believed in the promise of Uttarakhand now watch helplessly as their representatives’ trade dignity for disgrace.
Political observers say this is not an isolated incident but a symptom of a larger moral decay in politics. “If such members are to lead the state, God save this young hill state,” remarked one commentator, voicing the despair of many. Democracy, they say, is not sustained by noise and numbers but by decency and dialogue – qualities that were sorely missing in the Assembly
Uttarakhand was born out of the people’s struggle and aspirations. Two and a half decades later, those very people now feel cheated by the conduct of their own representatives. But the public is not powerless. When the time comes, they shall exercise their right to vote and remind these lawmakers where real authority lies – in the hands of the people.
As the state marks 25 years of formation, introspection is not just necessary, it is urgent and inescapable. Celebrations lose their shine when the dignity of the House is compromised. Democracy is not about loud voices; it is about graceful listening, thoughtful debate, pragmatic discussions and responsible leadership. Democracy thrives on decorum, and dignity is its first discipline.
(The author is an army veteran and a social commentator. He is an alumnus of National Defence Academy and Indian Military Academy. He is a Post Graduate in ‘Human Resource Management’ and in ‘Journalism and Mass Communication’. He is also an actor, writer, painter and a photography enthusiast. He is based in Dehradun.)
