It has become established practice now. In ever parliamentary session, Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi uses time allotted to him during discussion on a specific subject to start pontificating on something else altogether and, despite being reminded of the rules, insists on doing so. Then he declares that he is ‘not being allowed to speak’. In the present ongoing session, too, instead of speaking on the Motion of Thanks for the President’s speech, he took off on a tangent about excerpts from an as yet unpublished book written by former Army Chief General Naravane that have been quoted in a magazine. Told repeatedly that he could not wrongly utilise his allotted time in such a manner, he refused to comply. This has created a situation where the Lok Sabha is being repeatedly adjourned as the Congress and some other parties have taken to repeatedly creating a ruckus in the House. With some members being suspended for the session, it has given further grist to the protest mill.
Rahul Gandhi’s strategy can be understood that he wishes to become the focus of attention during these sessions, as he does not have much opportunity to do so in other ways. Any kind of a regular debate usually ends with the BJP’s articulate speakers scoring all the points. The usual summing up speeches by the Prime Minister have, traditionally, destroyed the opposition narrative. So, the attempt at distraction by raising ‘hydrogen bomb’ issues gives Rahul Gandhi his much vaunted exposure.
On the face of it, the Government has to suffer this drama because it is loath to seem undemocratic. However, the presiding officers of both houses have to ensure that proceedings are conducted according to the rules. If Rahul Gandhi is given the privilege he seeks of doing what he likes, when he likes, it would mean the complete collapse of the system. This naturally results in repeated adjournments. Ultimately, important debates end up as formalities, without members getting the opportunity to express their opinions. That pandemonium rules means that issues of concern to individual members do not get their due attention, thereby letting down their constituents.
If corrective measures are not taken, Indian democracy will be severely damaged. Making it lose its credibility seems to be a long term objective of those disrespecting its norms. However, those in the opposition that wish to see better functioning of Parliament should resist the temptation of being complicit in this strategy, as it will in practice provide the presently well-entrenched government to use its executive powers more aggressively, thereby sidelining Parliament. That too will not be a good thing. Ultimately, it is for the voters to decide what they want.
