Elders rap MPs for avoiding debate

JURIST Fali Nariman, scientist Raja Ramanna and journalist Cho Ramaswamy, all nominated members of the Rajya Sabha, have expressed 8216;8216;disappointment8217;8217; over the premature adjournment of both houses of Parliament today.

In a letter written to The Indian Express, the MPs said that Parliamentary democracy without discourse is nothing but just a 8216;8216;cheap shibboleth.8217;8217;

8216;8216;Gross irregularities in petrol pump allotments highlighted in your paper 8212; is as fine a piece of investigative journalism as has been seen in recent times 8212; deserved a detailed if angry response inside Parliament, not outside8230;. The people deserved this from their representatives,8217;8217; it said.

8216;8216;It is ironic that before Rajya Sabha was adjourned prematurely sine die, the Third Report of its Ethics Committee was laid on its table 8212; it contains the following sentence: 8216;In a Parliamentary set-up while the government has its way, the Opposition should have its say.8217;8217;8217;