Union Human Resources Development minister Prakash Javdekar said that the media should focus on reporting facts of the proceedings of the legislature which could strengthen the democratic system in the country.
“We all have to be responsible for strengthening the democratic system in the country and the media’s role is important for it,” said Javdekar in lucknow on Thursday. He was addressing a two-day training and orientation programme for MlAs elected to Assembly for the first time.
Urging legislators to refrain from rushing to the Well of the House to lodge their protests, the Union minister said, ``Such incidents always get good coverage by the media and hence members should avoid this. In this age of social media and live telecast, members should behave themselves as people constantly watch their conduct.’’
Addressing the concluding day programme organised by UP Assembly, Javdekar said that after a member takes oath then there is a collective responsibility for all members to work
for the dignity of the House.
Speaking on privilege proceedings of the House, the Union minister said,”Privilege should not be of an individual nature as every one was equal in thee eyes of the law. Sometimes privilege creates dispute between the judiciary and the legislative. He cited an example when Allahabad High Court once summoned the Assembly speaker and in response the Assembly summoned 22 judges to the House. The dispute was however sorted out,’’ he said.
Javdekar said that everyone has to do his work. The legislature makes the laws, the government prepares the policy and the judiciary adjudicates on it.
“If every institution of our democratic policy discharge its duties as per the Constitution then there would be no dispute,” he said asking the members not to use any derogatory language in their speeches during proceedings of the House as it vitiated the atmosphere.
Talking about VIP culture, the Union minister said that the Prime Minister’s move to ban red and blue beacon lights have been appreciated by everyone. He said that VIP culture was essentially feudal in nature and cannot have a place in democratic polity.
The programme was also addressed by former Assembly Speaker Mata Prasad Pandey and former Parliamentary Affairs minister Ammar Rizvi.