The N-word

From the ramparts of Red Fort, the prime minister chose not to speak about the nuclear deal. Dr Singh8217;s silence on the subject sounded strange for several reasons. The nuclear deal is arguably the biggest 8212; and most impressive 8212; policy initiative of the government he leads. Even those who disagree vigorously with its political and/or strategic desirability will concede that it is set to usher in a paradigm shift in the ways India stakes out its place in the new global order. That the PM should not even mention it, much less make the effort to place it in perspective for the Indian people, is evidence of incomprehensible diffidence, or an unwarranted tactical retreat.

CPM leader Sitaram Yechury has complimented the PM for keeping the nuclear deal out of his I-Day speech. Talking about it to the people, before it has been debated in Parliament, would have undermined the dignity of Parliament, he suggests. Yechury and his party may have their reasons for seizing the opportunity to make conciliatory noises after the storm worked up by the CPM around the deal, but this is the wrong peg to hang them on. The government has already briefed the media about the deal; it has also talked to political parties about it. Moreover, the PM has made a statement in the House. Having spoken to the media and the political class, why must the government become tight-lipped before the people? Also, Parliament does not have a legislative veto on international treaties in our country. The CPM has urged a constitutional amendment to change that reality. Whatever the merits of that argument, until that happens, comrades and other naysayers in Parliament will simply have to accept that the government of the day has exercised its executive privilege to enter into a deal in what it judges to be the national interest.

Parliament8217;s dignity and power have been progressively undermined over the years, but that has nothing to do with its authority or lack of it to scrutinise or veto the nuclear deal. In fact, excessively restrictive claims about parliamentary privilege is a part of the problem, not the solution.