1997, our own politicians, leaders gave a new meaning to ‘sharing the mic’. As millions saw in televised replays, legislators opposed to the Hindu nationalists staged a melee on the floor of the state assembly, throwing punches at political opponents, hurling chairs, ripping out microphones and throwing them at the podium. Several legislators were led away bleeding. The events were termed as simply ''a brutalization of democracy,''. These were the worst example yet of the growing violence in Indian politics as the speaker of the house watched helplessly.
This time, it was the Speaker himself at the receiving end of this goondaism. A day after unruly MLAs created ruckus in Uttar Pradesh Assembly, there was chaos in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly on Wednesday. In scenes similar to what happened in the assembly in 1997, MLAs threw paper balls at the Governor, stood on chairs and tables and shouted slogans. However, in AP, the minister just didn’t bulge from their location, stalling the entire proceeding; thereby forcing the speaker to call in marshal’s to take them out of house. Funny, because it took almost 7 marshal to lift each MLA. Guess, where your tax is going.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, one of the chief architects of India's freedom and a moving force behind its Constitution, placed the office of the Speaker in India in the proper context when he said:
The Speaker represents the House. He represents the dignity of the House, the freedom of the House and because the House represents the nation, in a particular way, the Speaker becomes a symbol of nation's freedom and liberty. Therefore, it is right that, that should be an honored position, a free position and should be occupied always by men of outstanding ability and impartiality.
This would explain why this office still remains one of the most crucial ones in the life of every Lok Sabha.
Usually, a member belonging to the ruling party is elected the Speaker. A healthy convention, however, has evolved over the years whereby the ruling party nominates its candidate after informal consultations with the Leaders of other Parties and Groups in the House. This convention ensures that once elected, the Speaker enjoys the respect of all sections of the House.
However, when things get hotter, the politicians cry foul and give little respect to the house. Doesn’t this show a bad example of leadership. Of course yes. Let me tell you how.
Just like a speaker is elected by the house member’s, we elect our leaders to lead us. But when these leaders turn out to be no good, we go on strike and go rampaging like herds of elephants, burning everything on our way. Isn’t this the destruction of our own property? Of course, when the leader itself is showing us the way, then what can the people do, but follow the leader.
I hope our leaders stop all this non sense, behave sensibly and lead us by example. Unfortunately we have elected few groups of thugs. What could be done when all the candidates standing for election are thugs. All that can be done is elect the lesser thug and hope for the best. Well, better than not voting at all.
Anyway, I think violence and politics go hand in hand. I can recall my college day’s wherein there were violence during the college election and often, some or the other guy would find himself in hospital bed.
All, that I want to tell these politicians is that, your follower’s, and the younger generation is watching you. Please don’t set a bad example.
On the other hand, I see a major flaw in the way the speaker is elected. Article 93 of the Indian constitution talks about the Speaker of the Parliament. The office of the Speaker is one of the great responsibilities. The Speaker is the Chief Officer of the Lok Sabha, he presides over its sitting and controls its working. He upholds the dignity and privileges of the House. It is expected that once elected he must rise above party interests. This is necessary to maintain impartiality. The Constitution of India contains certain provisions for maintaining independence and impartiality of the Speaker. His salary is charged on the Consolidated Fund of India and is not subject to annual vote by Parliament. He cannot be removed from his office except by a resolution passed by a special majority.
But the high tradition of this office and the honor and dignity with which this office is looked upon in England has not been maintained in India. So, the question is, “Who rule’s the God?” However, this could be a vicious circle, leading to nowhere.
So what is needed, is the sense of respect for the house and the person addressing the house rather than the “who rule’s the ruler” philosophy.
Please for the sake of the young mind's.
"What they see is what you do. Lets behave before we speak"
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