It was utter bedlam in the House all through the budget session. There was scant regard for any decency and decorum. Democratic norms were mercilessly decimated and House traditions were irreverently trampled upon.
By Kishore Chandra Das
Hello There! It’s me to you. And I am sorry. Sorry? Well, suddenly I felt the other day that perhaps I end up sermonizing all you sensible people, while trying to talk plain. For that reason, I had decided not to do any of that again. But, may be I am going to do just that now. Partly, it is a case of old habits dying hard and partly, it is simply that irresistible ‘itch’. I mean, are we fit to rule ourselves? Or, is democracy too big an ideal for us to be any real? We, the people of India, had solemnly resolved once upon a time, to give ourselves a Constitution that provided for a sovereign democratic republic, among other things. Whatever happened to that? Where is that sovereign, and whither democracy – the government of the people, by the people and for the people?
Voice of people is the voice of God, they say. To give expression to that sacrosanct voice and to establish the rule of law, we religiously elect our representatives at regular intervals. On our behalf therefore, they make laws and form the Government to maintain order. Looking back at the just concluded Assembly session however; can we vouch for the validity of these fundamental assumptions? Surely a troubling issue it is.
It was utter bedlam in the House all through the session. There was scant regard for any decency and decorum. Democratic norms were mercilessly decimated and House traditions were irreverently trampled upon. Several adjournments disrupted the proceedings. Discussions and deliberations, for whatever they were worth, were just routine rituals. Gimmicks and theatrical conduct hopelessly made light of many a serious issue facing the state. These are grave issues of our life and times. We all have reposed so much trust in this House to define and give a direction to all that. The poverty – ridden state of ours is precariously poised on a new threshold at present, more than at any other time in the past perhaps. Where as prudent steps can surely take us on the road to prosperity, pernicious slips can only make sure the doom. What happened in the House has been more about the latter and this, unfortunately, has been the trend in recent years, more than at any other period of time. This, to say the list, is a dishonorable betrayal of trust.
Happenings outside the House have not been any better. Everywhere there are agitations and unrest. Criminals have been able to cock a SNOOK at the authorities. The police force is demoralized and lawlessness seems to be the order of the day. Unemployment situation has worsened and there is a lot of confusion about the development process.
Functioning of the Government machinery as a whole leaves a lot to be desired. Corruption has spread its tentacles far and wide. Infrastructure position is far from satisfactory and energy situation is grim. Life as a whole has become very costly in all respects and the times are much more disturbing. In place of hope, there is more of despair and cynicism.
In such a state, I wonder if democracy as an ideal has failed us. I am also, at times, tempted to mull over the possibilities of some authoritarian regime run somehow by some sensible and serious people. But then, I know these are fanciful thoughts though well meaning. Coming to reality, I am reminded of a sagacious remark, “For the forms of government let the fools contest, whichever is best governed is the best.” So, the institutions, processes and traditions of our democratic polity, as ordained by our Constitution, are not that bad after all. The fault lies with the will and ability of all those who need to be concerned with good governance. Hopefully, good sense will prevail inside and outside the House during the second round of the Budget session that is slated to start from March 9, and it will continue to prevail thereafter. That simply means, our honorable representatives and we all badly need to be good. What do you say?
The author is a Bhubaneswar-based Communication Consultant, and teaches mass communication. You can reach him at kuna1002@rediffmail.com.
|