'Disruption Of Parliamentary proceedings: MP's Privilege Or Facet Of Our Democracy?' Who Said What?

Minister of Women and Child Development Smriti Irani on Saturday recalled deceased Union Cabinet Minister Arun Jaitely telling her in 2011 that disruption becomes the norm when voices of the people are not heard."What we saw in the monsoon session was the voice of the people, which arises with the anticipation of building a stronger nation, being suppressed by those who seek to discuss issues that are drawn by political desire and political consideration. This last session saw not only disruption but even physical acts in front of the chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, which brought much disrepute to the House", said Ms. Irani.She was speaking at the Ram Jethmalani Memorial Lecture Series, 2nd Edition, on the question "Is the disruption of parliamentary proceedings an MP's privilege and/or a facet of parliamentary democracy?". The other speakers were TMC MP Mahua Moitra, Senior Advocates Gopal Subramanium and Ranjit Kumar, Journalist S. Gurumurthy and Former MP Pavan Varma. Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu was the guest-of-honour. The event also witnessed addresses by AG K. K. Venugopal and SG Tushar Mehta.Repeating the thought of Law Minister Kiren Rijiju that "all of us who enjoy democracy take pride in our Parliamentary system", Ms. Irani continued to state that the warning signs are when disruption, and not discussion, becomes the norm not because the people are not heard, but because "there are people, who could not win through the ballot, now using disruption as a political instrument to disrepute and disregard the constitutional processes". "Then I think many of us, who believe in the Parliamentary system of democracy, need to consider what the future holds for all of us", said Ms. Irani.However, she proceeded to remark that irrespective of the disruptions, the monsoon session saw deliberations on supplementary grants and budget-related issues- "When the opposition does consider the Parliament as a platform for engagement where we can put up issues towards our constitutional responsibilities with a modicum of respect, the government and opposition can collaborate for the better of the people, of the country."Ms. Irani elaborated how, as the Minister for women and child development, she had the distinct privilege of looking at all sides of the house, especially in the Lok Sabha, coming together to bring about an amendment to the Juvenile Justice Act. "This Act is dedicated to the children of our country, children who are not vote-banks in our Parliamentary system. This shows that irrespective of the fact that we may have political and ideological differences, at least on the issue of protection of children in our country, we could bring peace to the house", she said."As I speak from the National Highway, the sun has set, but it will rise again with renewed hope and renewed vigour, and it is rising with the fact that the aspirations of our people can only be met through deliberation and dialogue and discussion in a Parliamentary democracy. As we celebrate 75 years of our independence, we need to be mindful that the next 25 years will be better-served if we come together for the betterment of our people. It is with that hope that there are parliamentarians who speak on issues with much passion and vigour. And those who speak on the empty privilege to bring about disruption- when you come to the Parliament with a sense of privilege, remember that ours is a greater responsibility", she signed off.TMC MP Mahua Moitra"I wonder how Ram Jethmalani would have reacted to this corrosion of constitutional values today with the complicity of those entrusted to preserve the same! Would Ram Jethmalani consider it anti-national to raise one's voice for the cause of migrant labourers walking hundreds of miles towards their death, while the second highest law officer of the country tells the highest court of the country that there is no such thing happening? Likewise, can someone, who calls out a sexual harasser who was granted a clean chit even without an unbiased inquiry and who was then awarded a Rajya Sabha seat, be threatened with breach of privilege?" (A BJP member had given a breach of privilege notice against Ms. Moitra over her remarks against former Chief Justice of India and now MP, Ranjan Gogoi, in Lok Sabha on February 9)?, began Ms. Moitra.She spoke of how the government of the day is in "brute majority" and how session after session in the Parliament, and even outside, the voices of 200 MPs are being stifled either by heckling or through the instrumentality of certain quarters of the media which blur the criticism of the government. She commented that brazenness has become the order of the day with leaders being immune to even the Supreme Court. "Thank God that we finally have a Chief Justice who appreciates the separation of power and is posing difficult questions to this government!", remarked Ms. Moitra.She expressed the view that if the ruling party has power, the opposition must have the right to...

'Disruption Of Parliamentary proceedings: MP's Privilege Or Facet Of Our Democracy?' Who Said What?

Mehal Jain

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