Opinion A House for democracy
There has been talk of moving Parliament to a new building. That would be a tragic mistake
Reports that plans to build a new Parliament House have been scrapped on the objections of several members of Parliament are welcome. Earlier,it was reported that the speaker of Lok Sabha,Meira Kumar,proposed shifting to a new Parliament House as the present building,which was completed in 1927,was deemed to have become old and unusable. A few tiles falling from the ceiling of one of the domes and the narrow staircases were cited as reasons. The move would have been a mistake.
Parliament House is the symbol of Indian democracy. It is no ordinary building. Designed by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker,it represents the best in traditional Indian art and architecture. Its circular shape,which stands for the Indian concept of eternity,its majestic columns,which lend grace and charm to the building,the domes that proudly hold their heads high,the intricate carvings,the massive wooden doors and many other exquisite features make it one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. The foundation stone of this building was laid by the Duke of Connaught in 1921 and it was completed and inaugurated in 1927 by the then governor-general of India,Lord Irwin.
It is intriguing as to why there was a sudden interest in building another Parliament House and converting the present one into a museum. There is no doubt that the building requires proper maintenance. But nobody said this building is structurally weak which,therefore,mandates a move to another building within a short time. The chief of the CPWD has reportedly said that Parliament House has outlived its normal life. This is a fallacious argument. The British parliament is housed in a building much older than the Indian building. After the fire in 1834,which caused extensive damage to different parts of the structure,the building was rebuilt,restoring its beauty and grandeur. At no time did the British engineers think of relocating. Further,the present House of Commons does not have seats enough to accommodate all its members. Many members stand in the official gallery when attendance of all members is required. Still,the British authorities never thought of building another structure to house the parliament,because the palace of Westminster is a part of the history of the British people,where democracy and representative institutions of the people originated and evolved.
It is true that the Parliament building poses a challenge in terms of maintenance. The CPWD,the official governmental agency entrusted with maintaining it,has been found unequal to the task. For instance,the basement of the building is criss-crossed with wires. It is a dark and scary place. The old wiring system should have been replaced by a modern system. If any of those wires catches fire,in minutes the whole building will be on fire. Similarly,staircases could be cleared of obstructions so that people could use them in times of emergency. But the CPWD does not appear to be enthusiastic about its maintenance.
The main problem Parliament House faces is lack of maintenance and unplanned space management. A huge and sprawling library building and the Parliament House Annexe are situated in the Parliament complex. A new building adjacent to the Parliament Annexe is presently under construction. These buildings will fulfil the growing needs of space. A new Parliament building away from the complex will render them redundant.
Parliament House is identified with Indian democracy. Its very location has meaning. One can hear the footsteps of history in this building. No one should deny future generations that sense of history. The authentic voice of the representatives of our people should continue to be heard in the hallowed chambers of this building. On the historic occasion of the inauguration of Parliament House,the British monarch sent a message which sums up the philosophy of this building.
The circle stands for something more than unity. From the earliest times it has been also an emblem of permanence,and the poet has seen in the right of light a true symbol of eternity. May,therefore,we and those who follow us witness,so far as we may,the fruition of these twin conceptions. As our eyes and thoughts rest upon this place,let us pray that this Council House may endure through the centuries,down which time travels towards eternity,and that,through all the differences of passing days,men of every race and class and creed may here unite in a single high resolve to guide India to fashion her future well.
The writer is former secretary general of Lok Sabha
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