Interruption of Parliament should happen in ‘extreme conditions’, don’t become ideal: Manish Tewari

Amid repeated adjournments in Parliament, Congress MP Manish Tewari on Sunday said MPs should seriously introspect whether disruption is a “valid strategy”, adding that it should be used only in an “extreme situation”. And should not be ideal.

However, he said running the House is the government’s responsibility, and placing the blame on the Congress for the frequent adjournments is “unfortunate and opportunistic”, as the BJP and its allies stalled Parliament during their time as the opposition. during 2004-14.

in an interview with PTIMr Tewari suggested that as a rule, after the government business is over at 6 pm, any matter decided collectively by the opposition should be allowed for discussion in the Lok Sabha under Rule 193.

“I had also suggested in an informal conversation with the Speaker (Om Birla) that as a rule, after the government business is over at 6 pm, any subject discussed under Rule 193, suggested collectively by the opposition Should be given. Working day of Parliament between 6 pm to 9 pm.”

Similarly, discussions can take place in the Rajya Sabha under the Concurrent Rule, Mr. Tiwari said.

This will ensure that the government business works in a smooth manner and the opposition is also able to express its concerns on the matters before the country, the Congress MP said, adding that unfortunately, it seems that the Treasury benches are not very enthusiastic and would rather the opposition Rather than just allowing the concerns of the railroads to be discussed as well, their own businesses.

With the first week of the Monsoon session almost washed away, Parliament debates rather than become the norm, Mr Tewari said, “Parliament as an institution and assemblies collectively are unfortunately for the nation’s national discourse. have become irrelevant which are going back now. A few decades.” This is mainly because MPs and MLAs of all parties have systematically devalued the institution over the decades and across the country, he said.

“What would you think of an institution where disruption is the norm and functioning is the exception? What would you think of the Supreme Court if lawyers regularly disrupt its functioning? What would you think of the executive of secretaries, United Secretaries or other officers are on regular and prolonged disruptive spree,” Tiwari asked.

Therefore, MPs and MLAs should seriously introspect whether disruption is a “valid parliamentary strategy”, the Congress MP said.

“It (disruption strategy) should be used, it should be done tactfully in extreme situations, but certainly should not become the norm,” Mr. Tewari said.

He said that it is the responsibility of the government to run the House.

The Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha have so far failed to do any significant work since the monsoon session began on July 18, with the opposition insisting on a debate on the rise in prices and GST on essential items of daily use.

On opposition from the Congress-led opposition and disrupting the proceedings of the House and demanding discussion on various issues, Tiwari said that one should go back to 2004-14, when the BJP and its allies were in the opposition, they held session after session. not eliminated. Let Parliament function for one reason or the other.

“So to lay the blame at the door of Congress, I think, is both unfortunate and opportunistic. The bigger and fundamental question is about the parliamentary culture that has eroded or deteriorated over the decades and the desire to destroy legislative institutions. Permission has been given, said the MP from Anandpur Sahib in Punjab.

Therefore, stakeholders in India’s parliamentary process – political parties and Members of Parliament – must come together to find a way how this institution can achieve the purpose for which it was set up by the framers of the Constitution and restore its ancient glory. can receive.

On the opposition’s allegation that the government was not allowing discussion on key issues like price hike and GST on essential food items, Tewari said this is not the first time that a government has a large majority in Parliament. In fact, out of 17 Lok Sabhas, 10 governments had overwhelming majority.

However, until the late 1980s, even though there was a small protest, it was always aided and encouraged by conscientious members of the Treasury Bench, who collectively held the government accountable, he pointed out.

“The Tenth Schedule has taken out the discretion, common sense and imperative of the constituency from the legislative proceedings,” argued Mr. Tewari.

“It has completely failed in its primary objective of preventing defection, but it has taken the spirit of democracy out of the highest democratic institutions of the country. Hence, the 10th Schedule has been reconsidered to restore democracy in Parliament. need to.” They said.

Mr Tewari alleged that the most worrying thing is that the government not only tries to suppress the voice of the opposition but more importantly, the proceedings of the Parliament are also shown in a skewed and censored manner.

When asked about the ‘unparliamentary word’ controversy and the circular not allowing protests in the Parliament premises, he said that there is a “crisis in the legislative institutions of India” against the unparliamentary words and prohibition of any kind of protest within the Parliament premises. is beyond.

He said these two moves were signs that there was a growing tendency to further “weaken” what was left with the supreme legislative body.

Asked about opposition unity with TMC chief Mamata Banerjee’s announcement that her party will not support joint vice-president candidate Margaret Alva in the election, Mr Tewari said the decision has implications for the 2024 general elections.

“The opposition should be aware of the gravity of the challenge it is facing, and it should put aside the arrogance and perceptions of the political arena and really focus on 2024 in a very serious manner,” he said.