EDITORIAL

 Anti-Democratic And Irresponsible

THE decision of the BJP-led NDA to continuously disrupt the proceedings of the Parliament has transcended the theatre of the absurd. There are many dimensions of this utterly irresponsible and anti-democratic behaviour that need to be noted. 

First, while in power, Mr Vajpayee, as the prime minister, used to continuously harangue the Parliament and the country about the virtues of being a responsible opposition in the Parliament. He used to bemoan that the opposition during his time did not behave with a sense of responsibility that was required for the good of the country and the people. What is being undertaken now, under his leadership, not only pales to shame the earlier alleged behaviour of the opposition but has assumed unprecedented proportions undermining parliamentary democracy itself.   Unable to come to terms with the fact that the people of India have rejected them in the recent elections, the BJP is displaying political cussedness of the worst order. They are showing a complete disrespect to parliamentary norms and functions to the extent that they did not even permit the Speaker to make a statement. In the process, they are only confirming the impression amongst large sections of the people that they constitute an irresponsible and opportunist political party.

Secondly, the BJP-led NDA is least qualified morally to raise the issue of “tainted ministers.”  Through these columns, we had repeatedly in the past, made our position clear on this issue.  It would have been better for the UPA government not to have such persons as members of the cabinet. But, for the BJP, to assume a moral high ground on this issue is worse than the kettle calling the pot black!  Chargesheeted people occupied very important position in Vajpayee’s cabinet.  Almost all important ministers have had charges of corruption, sleaze etc pointed at them.   For this precise reason, the drama that they are enacting now in the Parliament is being seen by the people as desperation shorn of any sincerity or credibility.

Thirdly, it was the BJP state government in Jharkhand that resurrected a three-decade old case against Shibu Soren. It requires little imagination to understand that why this was done at this moment. During these three decades, Mr Shibu Soren  was politically active, contested elections and was not  hiding from the law.  In which case, why was this case not proceeded upon? Even at this stage, we reiterate that the law must take its course. Clearly, the BJP state government can only blame itself for the inaction in the past. The entire case reeks of a cynical manipulation.

Finally, it is not only the undermining of parliamentary democracy but the BJP’s behaviour is causing irreparable damage to the country and the people. The Parliament is being prevented from discussing issues of vital importance like the tragic helplessness of lakhs of people who are victims of the floods and drought in various parts of the country. Distress suicides continue to take place and whatever little relief that the Parliament could have provided to such people is being denied by the BJP’s tactics. 

In a larger sense, the people who have elected their representatives of Parliament expect them to discharge their duties in the interests of both the country and the people. The people also expect of their representatives to advance the developmental work in their particular constituencies. By doing neither, the BJP and its allies are actually making a mockery of the people’s verdict. If they are not interested in discharging their duties as elected representatives, then in the interests of the country and the voters in their specific constituencies, such representatives must make way to others who are willing to discharge their responsibilities and perform their duties.

The Indian people cannot allow such a desperate undermining of our parliamentary democracy. The RSS/BJP is demonstrating, once again, clearly that their faith in parliamentary democracy is merely superficial. For the sake of India, i.e. Bharat, these people must be forced to either discharge their duties in the interests of the country and the people or the Indian people will have to choose alternative representatives to shoulder the responsibilities of advancing our country.