Parliament celebrates 60th year; leaders express concern over disruptions

Mangaloretoday/ NDTV

New Delhi, May 13:  Concern over repeated disruptions and the need for introspection dominated Parliament today as it celebrated its 60th year of its first sitting in independent India.

Cutting across party lines, leaders asserted that supremacy of Parliament must be preserved, holding that laws are made by it and not mobs, apparently a reference to civil society campaign against Parliamentarians while pressing for setting up of Lokpal.

 

The leaders took pride in the fact that India has managed to hold on to democracy and was a shining example in the world despite many pressing problems like acute poverty, sustained terrorism and hiccups for democracy in the neighbourhood.

However, a faint reference was made to the brief period of Emergency of 1970s, which was corrected constitutionally soon after.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh set the tone for introspection as he flagged concerns in the Rajya Sabha over "repeated disruptions" and "unwillingness" for discussions.

Initiating the debate, he appealed to members to "write a new chapter and restore to it the sense of dignity and decorum that is expected of a House of Elders."

"That is not to say that we should not reflect with concern on the repeated disruptions of proceedings and a regrettable unwillingness, on occasion, to engage in informed discussion," the Prime Minister said.

He underlined that it was "therefore incumbent upon all of us to respect the great institutions of our democracy and respect the spirit of what is expected from the elected representatives."

The concerns come against the backdrop of disruptions taking a heavy toll on the functioning of Parliament in the last few years, with even last Winter Session getting washed out entirely.

Finance Minister and Leader of the Lok Sabha Pranab Mukherjee echoed concerns over disruption in the Lower House when he lamented that a handful of members throttle "silent majority" and called for a mechanism that will eliminate disruptions.

"On many occasions, this House has been tumultuous, tempers ran high, but disruptions were the least this House has adopted. Because when we disrupt the House then it serves no purpose. We cannot hear. We cannot speak," he said.

Mr Mukherjee said Parliament has acted as a "shock absorber" on several occasions and whenever there have been disputes, dissensions, the Lok Sabha has played a role in defusing it.

Noting that there had been confrontation in the federal structure between various organs of the government and judiciary, executive and legislature, he said, however, "over the years we have evolved a system and (have been) able to find an amicable solution."

 

Resolution

 

On the 60th anniversary of its first sitting, the Parliament on Sunday resolved to uphold and maintain its dignity, sanctity and supremacy to make it an effective instrument of change and strengthen the democratic values and principles.

Members of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha also resolved to enhance the accountability of Government towards people through Parliament’s oversight and rededicate themselves in the sacred task of nation building.

The resolution, climaxing the day-long debate marking the 60th anniversary of the first sitting of Parliament, moved by Speaker Meira Kumar and Chairman Hamid Ansari, was adopted unanimously by members by voice vote.

"We, the members...do hereby solemnly reaffirm our total and abiding commitment to the ideals cherished by our founding fathers, and resolve:

a) to uphold and maintain the dignity, sanctity and supremacy of Parliament;

b) to make Parliament an effective instrument of change and to strengthen democratic values and principles;

c) to enhance the accountability of the Government towards the people through the oversight of Parliament, and;

d) to rededicate ourselves completely to the sacred task of Nation Building," the resolution read.

The two Houses recalled the immense sacrifices made by freedom fighters in the nation’s struggle for independence and the stellar role played by the founding fathers of the Constitution in mandating equality, fraternity, justice, brotherhood of mankind and the uplift of under-privileged and down-trodden sections of society.

Members also acknowledged with satisfaction and pride the maturity of the people of India who have cherished the democratic values and worked ceaselessly for the unity and integrity of the nation.

They also noted that in the last 60 years, Parliament had through epoch-making laws, taken decisive steps towards ensuring equity and justice in all matters for establishing an inclusive society in pursuance of the deep faith and commitment to ideals enshrined in the Constitution.