Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Best behaviour in Parliament expected' that was published in Newsband

Best behaviour in Parliament expected

Angry and loud protests are a common thing in our Parliament and the legislatures, just as they do in the streets and public spaces. Such behaviour can prevent reasoned debate and informed decision-making.

Members of Parliament who want their remarks expunged would do well to reflect on their own behaviour. They should support strict adherence to the rule book in Parliament.

If all the voices in Parliament are not to be drowned in noise, then political parties must agree on not letting debate sink to the levels of a slanging match. The live telecast of proceedings, far from improving decorum, seems to have only contributed to attention-seeking disorders. On occasions, a few unruly members have been able to stall proceedings of Parliament taking advantage of the silence of the majority.

It is time to ensure good behaviour in the House and create conditions for meaningful debate. Harsher methods of dealing with deviant members should be introduced. The rule book should contain suitable punishment to the legislators if they are found responsible for the chaos and pandemonium in the House. A cut in the pay, allowances and other perks for the legislators will to some extent contain the jarring noises.

The people of our country should come out in public place in support of penalty for such anarchist members in the both houses who do not debate and discuss on fruitful bills and distract ours as well as India’s future.

In our parliamentary democracy, parliament is supreme. But unfortunately due to self serving tendencies of the MPs the biggest loser is the poor and the needy common man. They are not raising people’s concerns in floor of the House. The Parliament is being used for party

propaganda not the People Politics.

Parliamentary is for debates and discussions. Time has come for parliamentary reforms. One doesn’t understand as to why time factor doesn't apply to members of Parliament or House in reference to delays in important policy related debates, affecting common man. They are public servants and should behave accordingly.

It is very interesting to see that when it comes to making 'noise' in Parliament, many seasoned members compete with 'freshers'. The live telecast of the proceedings is meant to ensure the level and quality of debate in the house of people. Most of our members need to learn the nuances in the art of debate. It is high time they attended a crash course on how to behave in Parliament.

We have made a constitution. We made many laws under it. We kept on to many old laws made by British. In Britain, the British changed most old laws. The best thing may be to ask the British or the Americans, some legislative experts, to help us make rules, and follow them.