It is an established tradition regarding coverage of proceedings in the Rajya and Lok Sabhas that unruly behaviour is not telecast for the people to watch. The cameras remain focused on what has been approved by the Chair. This may have made sense at one time because the primary concern was to maintain the dignity of Parliament above all else. However, this ‘sanitisation’ of proceedings is now having the reverse effect. People are unable to see the way their representatives behave and come to their own judgement on how appropriate or inappropriate it is. At the present the picture projected is that the opposition is being restricted by the presiding officers. All the disruptive and disrespectful behaviour fails to be noticed and publicly recorded.
It is about time that Parliament places greater trust in the people’s judgement and allows them to see what actually happens in the House. They should be able to witness how well or badly they are represented by those they have elected. Even at the present, the compulsive disrespect that some members in both Houses display towards constitutional authority can be made out. Let the people notice what class of person does this and it will be discovered that it is mostly those who feel entitled and superior for some reason. Be it their class background, the felicity with the English language, their wealth or believed immunity to consequence of their actions, they persistently behave badly. It may be noted, however, that what they do not do is display even an iota of independent behaviour that could displease their political patrons. For, in almost all cases, such individuals do not have the ability to get elected under their own steam. However, their arrogance is otherwise hugely visible. And it takes very little for them to pay the usual victim card if met with the slightest resistance.
The calls by the opposition on Friday for impeachment of the Rajya Sabha Chairman for reprimanding those indulging in such behaviour is another attempt to undermine the dignity of the House. This has led to appeals from the Treasury Benches for the Chairman to be less ‘indulgent’ of such conduct. Indeed, it has become necessary now to not shield disruptive activity from the public view. Let them see and let them decide who deserves to be in the House and for what reason.
