DNA Edit: A barren spell

The noisy democracy called India notches up maximum decibels in Parliament. The ongoing ruckus in the legislatures, accompanied by the unedifying spectacle of elected representatives making a mockery of democratic processes, has resulted in a chaos that will put fish markets to shame.

The tumult in both Houses shows no signs of subsiding as Opposition MPs are determined to continue with their disruptive activities. The Congress is paying back the BJP in the same coin. During UPA-II, BJP MPs had been instrumental in paralysing the House for a long stretch of time. What neither considered then and now was the loss the country suffered on account of the logjam.

This time, the Parliament could function only sporadically as the Budget session proved to be the least productive spell for the government. While the BJP blames the Congress for this rambunctious spell, the latter calls the government autocratic.

Only five bills could be passed in the Lok Sabha and just one in the Rajya Sabha, that too without much discussion. If this becomes the norm, then Parliament would soon lose its relevance. As the country’s foremost law-making body, members must thoroughly debate and scrutinise Bills that the government pilots before passing them. There has hardly been any in-depth observation from opposition MPs on the Budget.

What’s surprising is how a moribund Opposition has suddenly regrouped itself to hold the government to ransom. This may not be reflective of the larger goal of Opposition unity, but given the surcharged atmosphere in the legislatures, Sonia Gandhi will most probably try to stitch up an alliance.

The parties opposed to the BJP knew that no way could they bring the government down with the no-confidence motion. Still, they persevered! If only they could show such commitment to legislative business by engaging in constructive debates instead of rushing to the well of the House and crying themselves hoarse, our democracy would have truly evolved.

The government has set a remarkable example with 400 MPs of the ruling NDA proposing to give up Rs 3.66 crore – their salary for 23 days of the ongoing budget session. Each MP draws about Rs 1.6 lakh per month as salary and allowances, out of which Rs 91,699 would be given up. It’s an unprecedented act in which all MPs of a ruling party or coalition have volunteered to offset the losses suffered by the national exchequer.

The Congress needs to take a leaf out of the government’s book at least in this regard. It must have extracted its pound of flesh in the Budget session. If a country is repeatedly subjected to the whims and fancies of politicians who have scant respect for democratic traditions, then it’s time to take some tough measures for the sake of democracy.

When legislative output is shrunk, it adversely affects the lives of ordinary citizens who have elected these netas to power to act on their behalf. Our leaders mustn’t betray the trust of their voters.