Parliament celebrates 60th year concern over disruptions expressed

Concern over repeated disruptions and the need for introspection dominated Parliament as it on Sunday celebrated the 60th year of its first sitting in independent India.

Cutting across party lines, leaders asserted the supremacy of Parliament must be preserved, holding that laws were made by it and not mobs, apparently a reference to civil society campaign against Parliamentarians while pressing for setting up of Lok Pal. The leaders took pride in the fact that India had managed to hold on to democracy and was a shining example in the world, despite many pressing problems like acute poverty, sustained terrorism and hiccups for democracy in the neighbourhood.

A faint reference was made to the brief period of emergency of the 1970s, which was corrected constitutionally soon after.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh set the tone for introspection as he flagged concerns in the Rajya Sabha over “repeated disruptions” and “unwillingness” for discussions. Initiating the debate, he appealed to members to “write a new chapter and restore to it the sense of dignity and decorum that is expected of a House of Elders”.

“That is not to say that we should not reflect with concern on the repeated disruptions of proceedings and a regrettable unwillingness, on occasion, to engage in informed discussion,” the prime minister said.

Barun Mukherji (AIFB) said the largest democracy in the world had crossed the threshold of 60th year and members should strive to further strengthen it. He said the Parliament library was one of the biggest in Asia and efforts should be made to further enrich it. He also stressed the need for making parliamentary standing committees more effective.

Ram Vilas Paswan (LJP) stressed the need for reservation to SC/ST members in the judiciary, private sector and media. Expressing concern over the declining credibility of Parliament in recent days, Ranbir Singh Prajapati (Ind) said cynicism about Parliament and parliamentarians was at an all-time high and efforts should be made to restore its glory. The number of sittings should be increased, he said.

Ahmad Saeed Malhabadi (Ind) said members should strive for upholding parliamentary supremacy, while A V Swamy (Ind) and Parimal Nathwani (Ind) too stressed the need for taking steps to maintain its rich tradition.

The PM
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the daily routine of disruptions had led to questions on the functioning of Parliament and called for “substantive and sincere” introspection. He said public disenchantment was bound to raise if parties failed to collectively resolve to restore the prestige of the institution.

“The daily routine of disruptions, adjournments and shouting in the House are leading many outside to question the efficacy of the institution and faith in public affairs," Singh said.

He said the manner in which the MPs have conducted, especially over the last couple of years, have led to a sense of “frustration and disillusionment” among the people.

“If we have to resolve, if we have to restore the prestige of the institution, then each one of us needs to lead by example,” the Prime Minister said.