Don't denigrate Parliament through words or deeds: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi to MPs

Underlining role of parliamentary democracy in protecting Constitutional rights, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Tuesday urged the MPs not to "denigrate" Parliament through their words or deeds.

He stressed that democracy should not be simply regarded as an instrument to attain power but as a solemn commitment to serve people. The MoS for Parliamentary Affairs was speaking at an event organised to felicitate participants of 49th Youth Parliament competition.

Naqvi, who also holds the charge of MoS for Minority Affairs, said that despite challenges from time to time, parliamentary democracy in the country has withstood the test of time, a release said. Addressing students from 34 participating schools, Naqvi asked the youth to take constructive interest in politics and public life, saying that it was the fundamental responsibility of the people to elect the right kind of representatives who could further strengthen democracy.

Happy School of Daryaganj was adjudged the best performer in the competition organised by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs for the schools of the Delhi Government and New Delhi Municipal Council. The competition, a part of the Youth Parliament Scheme of the Ministry, now covers 1,200 schools in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, 1,200 Kendriya Vidyalayas, 600 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and 300 universities and colleges across the country.