- The entire country is witness to how hostile the Parliamentary and legislative assembly debates can become when the lawmakers passionately discuss/deliberate on matters of importance. With the proceedings being telecast live on national television channels, the country is also witnessing to exceptional visuals whenever the heated debate underway turns into an unruly, violent, and free-for-all extravaganza. People in the know would remember how certain situations in a few of the legislative assemblies reminded of an all-out war with mics, papers, furniture, and some such instruments turning into projectiles flying everywhere.
PC: Kashish Kundlani
- Invariably, Marshals and other security personnel had to be pressed into service to evacuate the troublesome lawmakers from the premises. In fact, the ensuing vicious fisticuffs had also resulted in lady lawmakers getting violated by the belligerent opposite sides indulging in pulling the sarees and hairs. Can you believe these unbelievable scenes were witnessed in the hallowed precincts of assemblies? Of course, the entire country would have felt shamed by the happenings, but the think-skinned political masters would have none of it save for mere lip-service of tendering an apology palpably lacking in conviction.
- As is its wont, the electronic and print media would highlight the despicable incident with all its force for a day or two with an eye on garnering TRPs. Once the telecast achieves its intended result, there is even more juicy news waiting to be explored. Business as usual, you see. Ever wondered though why our lawmakers so brazenly indulge in such appalling behavior? How did you think the word unparliamentary originate? Since lawmakers were always expected to be civilized in their discretion and disposition, it was assumed the masters would behave appropriately and correctly at all times.
PC: Mombasa
- Practically things are quite different. Nonetheless, efforts are always underway to tone down the language and offensive words used by the lawmakers during discussions. As a matter of routine, a list of unparliamentary words and phrases, published by the Lok Sabha secretariat recently, saw opposition leaders accusing the government of trying to gag them. Mind you, publishing such words has been happening since the 1950s. This list is not a diktat, it’s based on rulings by presiding officers during business proceedings. Of course, the LS speaker clarified that none of the words are banned but presiding officers will expunge remarks they deem unacceptable. Thus, it’s not really a gag order. That said, while suggesting the expunging of words and phrases, parliamentary secretariats should not entirely take a mechanical approach.
- House discussions must also reflect the liveliness that animates politics in a voluble and sometimes volatile democracy. Ultimately, a Parliament is judged by the quality of its debate and its lawmaking. Hearteningly, some of the recent sessions of Parliament have witnessed record productivity, even exceeding 100%. That disruptions have been few is good news. The thrust should be on to ensure extensive deliberations in smaller parliamentary committees and deeper House debates on complex issues. Also, laws are framed without any loose ends inviting the judiciary’s intervention should matter rather than worry about words and phrases.
