sixty years of parliament

In our Loksabha the speaker is the only person who speaks the least. She/he only tries to pacify the rude and unlawful members whole the time. They talk all kind of things but matters of public welfare and interest. They are always out there to show one-up ship, to prove their own importance in a comic manner.

This is highly exaggerated. Every year parliament passes many bills including finance Bill. In spite of obstructions, parliament works. even the unruly scenes and disturbances are on peoples' issues, though it would be better if there were greater discipline.

You said it sir, a little more disciplined behavior is required of them as they are our representatives in august house like Loksabha, the temple of democracy, law and order. If they behave in a balanced manner, that would surely set an example for others to follow them. They won't have to say that the laws would be made in Parliament and not on the roads. That should make all the difference.

You said it sir, a little more disciplined behavior is required of them as they are our representatives in august house like Loksabha, the temple of democracy, law and order. If they behave in a balanced manner, that would surely set an example for others to follow them. They won't have to say that the laws would be made in Parliament and not on the roads. That should make all the difference.

There are unscrupulous elements on road, who do not respect any institution and believe in no law. Presently, there is coalition at the center and hence it is difficult to form common opinion quickly and so delay in enactment of certain law. This cannot be an excuse for lawless and anarchic elements to indulge in blackmail.

[ If they behave in a balanced manner, that would surely set an example for others to follow them. They won't have to say that the laws would be made in Parliament and not on the roads. That should make all the difference.[/quote]

There are unscrupulous elements on road, who do not respect any institution and believe in no law. Presently, there is coalition at the center and hence it is difficult to form common opinion quickly and so delay in enactment of certain law. This cannot be an excuse for lawless and anarchic elements to indulge in blackmail.[/quote]

I do agree sir that there are huge gangs who are doing totally against the set norms but all that has been inspired or forced upon them due to corruption and and so undemocratic behavior plus the cast based politics etc spread by the politicians. They are responsible for present chaotic atmosphere spread allover the country. They have set no example for common people.

[ If they behave in a balanced manner, that would surely set an example for others to follow them. They won't have to say that the laws would be made in Parliament and not on the roads. That should make all the difference.

There are unscrupulous elements on road, who do not respect any institution and believe in no law. Presently, there is coalition at the center and hence it is difficult to form common opinion quickly and so delay in enactment of certain law. This cannot be an excuse for lawless and anarchic elements to indulge in blackmail.[/quote]

I do agree sir that there are huge gangs who are doing totally against the set norms but all that has been inspired or forced upon them due to corruption and and so undemocratic behavior plus the cast based politics etc spread by the politicians. They are responsible for present chaotic atmosphere spread allover the country. They have set no example for common people.[/quote]

In fact, people are supreme. They may elect even bad elements. There will always be some bad elements everywhere including parliament. But they are not on very big numbers. Peoples' verdict has to be respected always. So, even bad persons if elected are Honorable parliamentarians. It is okay to appeal to people not to elect them again, ensure that their candidature is rejected by Returning officer etc. But once elected, they are entitled to do their job as desired by people. Because of some black sheep in parliament or legislature, NGOs cannot be given liberty to create anarchy.

I think democratic norms allow any XYZ to express himself openly and say whatever one likes provided within the stipulated limits of the law. I am not advocating any unlawful but public rights to protest and protect against the erring so called black sheep. And why not, even the president of this country comes under scanner and so come the representatives who are found guilty of not discharging their duties properly. We need a right to recall immediately.

I think democratic norms allow any XYZ to express himself openly and say whatever one likes provided within the stipulated limits of the law. I am not advocating any unlawful but public rights to protest and protect against the erring so called black sheep. And why not, even the president of this country comes under scanner and so come the representatives who are found guilty of not discharging their duties properly. We need a right to recall immediately.

The electoral system in India is first past the post. One may be M.P. even with minority vote or even no vote if elected unopposed. Right to recall is meaningless. An M.P. is elected from a particular constituency but his functions are for entire nation and not a constituency. People elect a candidate on party symbol and thus actually vote for party and not individual. In these circumstances, right to recall is uncalled for and not tenable.

http://www.boddunan.com/education/21-Law%20/18250-electoral-reforms-for-democracy.html?Legal=

The electoral system in India is first past the post. One may be M.P. even with minority vote or even no vote if elected unopposed. Right to recall is meaningless. An M.P. is elected from a particular constituency but his functions are for entire nation and not a constituency. People elect a candidate on party symbol and thus actually vote for party and not individual. In these circumstances, right to recall is uncalled for and not tenable.

http://www.boddunan.com/education/21-Law%20/18250-electoral-reforms-for-democracy.html?Legal=[/quote]

With due regards sir,
And what happens when they change the parties en-mass and go to another party of their convenient where they get more than what they actually deserve? In what category do they fall. Is that what people send them to do with their votes.
Now can you tell me what party do the public belong to while they voted for part A and their representative switched over to Party B for his own interest?
Now does that mean that the one who voted for one party belongs to other party just because his representative changed his mind for his vested interests?
There is so much to ponder upon, the matter is not as simple as we make it out.

The electoral system in India is first past the post. One may be M.P. even with minority vote or even no vote if elected unopposed. Right to recall is meaningless. An M.P. is elected from a particular constituency but his functions are for entire nation and not a constituency. People elect a candidate on party symbol and thus actually vote for party and not individual. In these circumstances, right to recall is uncalled for and not tenable.

http://www.boddunan.com/education/21-Law%20/18250-electoral-reforms-for-democracy.html?Legal=

With due regards sir,
And what happens when they change the parties en-mass and go to another party of their convenient where they get more than what they actually deserve? In what category do they fall. Is that what people send them to do with their votes.
Now can you tell me what party do the public belong to while they voted for part A and their representative switched over to Party B for his own interest?
Now does that mean that the one who voted for one party belongs to other party just because his representative changed his mind for his vested interests?
There is so much to ponder upon, the matter is not as simple as we make it out.[/quote]

There is anti defection law for the questions raised by you. Generally, there is no mass change of party. This is in Arunachal Pradesh only where MLA join either congress or BJP depending on who rules in center. People know the character of MPs as well as various parties many of which are just based on person. Yet they vote on their own whim. We have to respect voter's verdict- good or bad, rational or irrational.

The main reforms we need is (1) There should be more inner party democracy. (2) Only recognized political parties at national level should be allowed in parliamentary elections. Regional parties may be allowed pre-poll alliance with national level parties. (3) similarly for regional assembly elections.

I have dealt with most of election reform issue in my articles. Let me stress that perfection is not completely possible anywhere. This is constant exercise. There is no perfection anywhere- bureaucracy, business, education and so on. This is because we are all human. But the need for reform cannot justify anarchy.

I have read your article before also as well as today
I agree there is no reason for public to act lawless just because their representatives are not working lawfully. Any way there are many examples where governments in different states and even at center stayed or lost because of changed of mind or 'voice of their antratma' whatever is that.
Have a look for yourself, I can find many more examples where governments lost or won.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S._R._Bommai_v._Union_of_India

Yes it is a long time with an experience of many great personalities.

You mean you saw some live debates in parliament on the occasion of 60 years completion celebrations in parliament. I missed it.

No doubt a moment of pride for Indians but a moment for introspection too.It's surprising that this institution has survived the onslaughts of some of its own members for sixty long years!

That itself is proof enough that we can face any problem there is in the world. This is a perfect example about our thick skin that we can survive any hardships in the world with such great people to lead us. Some of them are week but they are either juniors or not yet trained enough. Sorry no pun intended.

I was disgusted to see that some of our parliamentarians who only display raw chest power and disrupt proceedings of the House at the drop of a hat,waxing eloquent on this occasion!!

I have read your article before also as well as today
I agree there is no reason for public to act lawless just because their representatives are not working lawfully. Any way there are many examples where governments in different states and even at center stayed or lost because of changed of mind or 'voice of their antratma' whatever is that.
Have a look for yourself, I can find many more examples where governments lost or won.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S._R._Bommai_v._Union_of_India

Thank you for the link. There were many incidents of toppling of governments. There was a period knows as 'Ayaram Gayaram' when many defected so many times that it was difficult to know who was in which party at a particular time. Later, anti defection law was passed. Now one will lose membership of legislature if he defects or disobeys party whip. But if more than one third leave the party, this is considered split and anti defection law does not operate. Hence, even now it is possible to lure members of very small parties and independents. If a party has only six members, you need only two to defeat anti defection law.
Ultimately, it is on voters to take note of such behavior of MPs. Let us hope that ultimately, our voters will also gather more experience and discourage MPs who do not behave well. There is an old saying- People get the government they deserve. Let the people deserve better representatives. Ultimately, peoples' representatives cannot be better than whom they represent.

True, that says it all. Unless we shall be aware of our duties also and not only about our rights, we shall be getting no better representatives for us.

Yes on sunday it has passed sixty years on that day the entire paper was full of parliament news.

In fact we have every right to criticize the ones who are not doing their duties with full capacity. They are sent in to parliament to work in the interest of public with crores invested on each of them but they in turn act as if they are the kings and not public servants.

In fact we have every right to criticize the ones who are not doing their duties with full capacity. They are sent in to parliament to work in the interest of public with crores invested on each of them but they in turn act as if they are the kings and not public servants.

We should be clear about exact job of MPs or MLAs before criticizing them. The MPs do not have executive role. Their job is to legislate. In fact, most voters contact the MP or MLA for personal work or at best some thing for the locality. If the MP is successful, we like him.

Here let me give an example. There is demand for High Court Bench at Agra. There is same demand at Meerut. MPs of both- Agra and Meerut will press for bench in their city irrespective of the right thing. If Meerut gets bench, Agra M.P. will be declared failure. If Agra gets bench, Meerut MP will be disliked. There are many similar circumstances. Now there is also question of selecting location for AIAMS. Many places want AIAMS to be located in their city. So, can all MP be successful.

In fact, we send MP or MLA on party ticket and he is supposed to work accordingly. we may be happy or unhappy with a political party but not with MP. Lok Sabha speaker, his party leader and Party whip are there to see his conduct.