House training

If this enforced discipline appears to cast Parliament as a juvenile home and its members as recalcitrant children, the fault hardly lies with the Speaker. In recent times, parliamentary reportage has increasingly been splattered with phrases like 8220;the House today witnessed uproarious scenes8221; and 8220;the X party today stalled proceedings8221;. Perhaps Balayogi could bolster his case by maintaining a ledger, by balancing the actual business conducted and the important issues actually debated against the unending hours of aimless wails and diversionary endeavours. The result would not be very flattering for the men and women who return to the voters every so often for an endorsement for another stint at Raisina Hill. But would such a simple exercise in tinkering with the Lok Sabha schedule translate into more responsible, sober discussions? Would pre-lunch attention to legislative business bring out our elected representatives8217; latent debating skills and appreciation for parliamentary etiquette? Sadly, theequation may not be that simple. While Balayogi8217;s proposal would go some way in ensuring that legislative bills do not hang fire for sessions on end, any endeavour to raise the level of parliamentary debate would require the intervention of party bosses. And Atilde;sup2;f40Atilde;sup3;they already seem to be struggling in their unaccustomed disciplinarian avatar. Greatly embarrassed at thin attendance by party MPs when key bills were being voted upon, many political parties have resorted to a roster system to make sure that quorum is maintained.

And yet, let it be said that this is not to argue for too much political correctness, too much politeness 8212; all that is being demanded is informed debate. Indeed, this is not to deny an MP8217;s right 8212; in fact, his or her duty 8212; to vociferously call attention to issues and nuances that may otherwise be hushed or ignored. These range from bringing attention to minute concerns of voters in one8217;s constituency to wider topics of national interest. Moreover, Parliament was envisioned as something of a vent; accordingly, it is virtually incumbent upon MPs to echo the outrage or exhilaration of the people at large. Only, in the process of giving voice to popular emotions, they must also keep in mind the will of the people who have sent them to Parliament. Heeding the Speaker8217;s entreaty that they address the House8217;s agenda responsibly would a good way to do so.