It is painful to see how the two major parties have ransacked the decorum and sanctity of the House to such an extent that other smaller and regional parties are dumbfounded, and their issues, affecting hundreds of thousands of people, are bulldozed without care
I still remember my excitement when I was elected to the upper House of Parliament. With the same excitement and enthusiasm I took my oath in the Rajya Sabha in July 2014. I remember watching the proceedings of both Houses on television and also how the party which is in power now was in opposition then and had stalled the proceedings of both Houses for quite a few sessions on various issues. I thought, probably by now, all the issues would have either been sorted out or died a natural death.
To be honest, I was in a dilemma as to what I should do if I came across similar situations. I was sure, within myself, that if I got into a situation like this, I’d choose the normal and simple democratic way as stated in the famous quotation: “In democracy one learns to differ decently”. But decency was nowhere to be seen, not even in the corridors, leave aside inside the House. I have seen the Chairman of Rajya Sabha pleading with MPs to let the House function and discuss matters democratically, and that time would not be a constraint. Though most of the MPs want the House to function, they are helpless due to party compulsions.
The Chairman, being a nationalist, understands the repercussions and fallouts of such a gross and negligent attitude towards democratic norms. Being the Chairman of the House, he does not enjoy the liberty of talking to the media or going public on such dereliction in the highest body of legislature of this country. Provided an opportunity, I am sure he’d be the first to pour out his heart publicly. The etiquette of high positions in public life do not allow such liberties. Hence, he can do nothing but bear the brunt. He is right in his own way, but he cannot help.
The other day, while passing through the outer precincts of Parliament, I was so happy to see school-children standing at the gates in long queues in discipline — murmuring and whispering into each other’s ears, and giggling with anxiety. The excitement of witnessing the proceedings of Parliament was evident in their eyes. But I suddenly felt embarrassed — I wanted to turn them back, away from Parliament. I feared their exposure to the behaviour of parliamentarians that they’d witness inside. I felt like making an appeal to all parliamentarians: Please, for God sake or at least for the sake of these children sitting here in the gallery and watching us, behave properly. But I knew that the appeal would have no effect.
Parliament is a legislative body and we have been sent here to deliberate and put forward our views. My leader, Mr Naveen Patnaik, the Chief Minister of Odisha, has sent me to Parliament, hoping that I’ll be able to make the voice of millions from the State heard in Parliament. The people of Odisha put their faith in me to do wonders for them in Parliament, but I find it difficult to even speak a few meaningful words. I wonder if I am responsible for not being able to put forward the sufferings of the people, particularly the tribals. It is such a great agony that their suffering is going unheard and unnoticed in the temple of democracy where they surrender their faith every five years— not because there is some flaw in the system but that our parliamentarians are failing it. It, at times, seems peculiar as some get the opportunity without even asking for it and some keep pleading for a chance for days together. I fear how I will face the people back home when they ask me what I have done for them in Parliament. I will not be able to see them in their eye as I will have no answer to satisfy them. I can give some lame excuses.
The logjam in Parliament makes me think that, on one side we have so much patience that we are still taking to a neighbouring country for more than 60 years to settle contentious issues. But on the other, we have no patience to talk out simple differences with fellow parliamentarians. We not only waste time in Parliament but also lower the dignity and values of national politics. We waste our energy and the public’s hard earned money. No parliamentarian, however important he or she may be, has the authority to do this. People have sent us to Parliament to do something constructive — not to destroy the healthy, mature and decent practices that have evolved and survived the test of the time.
It seems like the values of the democratic tradition, customs and practice in the temple of democracy have diminished considerably with the passage of time. It was only in this 237th session of Rajya Sabha that the Constitution of India was discussed for two entire days. Stalwarts of every party spoke and showered praise on the Constitution of India, speaking highly of its features etc. But I am pained to say that not an iota of that spirit existed in the House thereafter, and more so in the past few days. The two largest parties in the House, held the House to ransom and, in turn, held an entire nation to ransom. When the ruling party wants to take up a discussion, the main Opposition vehemently opposes it; when the main Opposition insists on taking up some issue for debating, the ruling party rejects it.
I fail to understand whether this House has been constituted for deliberations or disruptions. I sincerely felt like interrupting the Prime Minister’s intervention on the discussion of the Constitution of India to know his thoughts on tolerating House disruptions. It appears as if nobody is bothered about the people they represent in Parliament, nor are they bothered about the public money that is being wasted. And all this is for whatIJ To settle personal or political scores, to settle ego problems or to play vindictive politicsIJ And, at whose costIJ At the cost of the tax-payer, of course.
I always had a feeling that maybe some of the veterans are still holding on to the ‘slow and steady’ sort of progress/development as a safer bet. But the younger generation of parliamentarians is finding it difficult to cope up with this kind of philosophy and feel that its desire to genuinely serve the people for which the members have been entrusted with the constitutional responsibility, is severely marred. It pains me that the two major parties have ransacked the decorum and sanctity of the House to an extent that other smaller and regional parties are dumfounded and their issues, affecting hundreds of thousands of people, are being bulldozed unscrupulously.
It hurts me that, when I request for time to raise genuine public problems to draw the attention of the Government, the Chair, who is supposed to extend protection to all Members equally, conveniently denies me the chance. But one can waylay all norms and rules governing the procedure for conduct of business and get away with both — he/she can have his/her say without the permission of the Chair and get away unreprimanded for violation of the norms. When I sit in the House and watch the activities that go on in the House (rather unruly House), I ask myself: Did I come here to be a part of all thisIJ
I sincerely wish to make an appeal to all the youngsters in Parliament, cutting across party affiliation: let us join together and raise our voice for those who, even after six decades of independence, are living in pitiable conditions — with no clean water to drink, no roof over their head, no electricity, no roads, no schools, no basic medical facilities. Friends, my head hangs in shame because, presently, I am enjoying many privileges while being able to do precious little for the needy and the helpless and for the people of my State.
(The writer is a Rajya Sabha MP from the BJD)