India’s parliamentary democracy is being tested — not by the Opposition, but by the ruling party, the BJP. Parliament, the seat of decision-making, is the temple of democracy because critical issues of public importance must be discussed in detail on the floor of the House. Parliament is meant to function, not to be adjourned.
In the last 10 days, however, it has functioned for all of 64 minutes because of the ruling party’s ploys to disrupt proceedings.
The Opposition, meanwhile, has resorted to innovative ways to draw the people’s attention and register its protest without being an obstacle inside the House. From printed stickers on their backs, to human chains and even printed masks, Opposition MPs are demanding that the House must function and be allowed to discuss crucial issues — something the government clearly doesn’t want.
But what one sees inside Parliament is a reflection of what the BJP does outside of it: Muzzle voices of protest, mask the fault lines, look the other way when faced with allegations, bulldoze and silence the Opposition.
Gautam Adani, who enjoys the patronage and protection of the Narendra Modi government, has been accused of wrongdoing, fraud, foul play and, most recently, of bribing Indian politicians and officials. Warrants have been issued against him by a grand jury of the United States Department of Justice. He is facing protests in Australia, and Kenya has cancelled his airport and power deals. A Bangladesh court has ordered a probe against his power deal, while Sri Lanka has kept a similar pact on watch and Switzerland has frozen funds connected to the group.
Amidst such serious allegations it is imperative that Parliament discusses the Adani issue. The Opposition is united in its demand to discuss it on the floor of the House. But the mere mention of the word “Adani” is met with mayhem from the Treasury benches and vehement objections from the custodians of both Houses, with the Speaker and Chairman saying “nothing will go on record” before quickly adjourning proceedings.
The allegations against the Adani Group must be discussed in Parliament because they raise serious questions about India as a destination for global investment, on its corporate governance, the credibility of agencies and market regulator and, most importantly, the rule of law in letter and spirit.
But the government wants to avoid any discussion. Ironically, government functionaries and members of Parliament have floated fictional theories of a “global conspiracy against India”, when in reality they should be seeking a fair probe. It is the tainted businessman who has brought disrepute to India across the world. And yet, the entire BJP and government is not just defending him with full force but feels obliged to hold Parliament to ransom.
The Adani issue makes PM Modi and his government nervous. It was shortly after Rahul Gandhi raised uncomfortable questions on the nexus between the government and the business house that he ended up being disqualified from Lok Sabha. Last year, 141 Opposition MPs were suspended from the House for raising their voice on the Adani matter.
Today, many parts of the country are on the boil, including Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh. Five people lost their lives in Sambhal while the government and police allowed a mockery to be made of the Places of Worship Act, 1991, and allowed the fanning of flames of communal hatred under their watch.
The Uttar Pradesh police and administration did not allow the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, to visit Sambhal, even when he offered to go by himself. The BJP fears that a discussion on the violence in Sambhal will expose the collapse of law and order in UP and will reveal wider complicities.
The Opposition expects to discuss the state of the economy, which has been marred by low growth, no jobs, stagnant incomes, high prices, depleting savings and a weakening rupee. It has to bear, instead, the displays of temper of the Finance Minister in Parliament.
Let alone speaking on these grave matters, the PM, who is the leader of the House, has not even made an effort to be present in it. It must not be forgotten that the Opposition had to finally resort to a no-confidence motion against the government to force the PM to speak on Manipur, which has been torn by strife for almost two years now. He hasn’t found the time to either appeal for peace or visit the state.
Our Parliament has a glorious tradition of vibrant debates and discussions, but the ruling party has lowered the level of discourse by resorting to mudslinging, lies and unparliamentary language. This is being done intentionally to distract from the main issues that the Opposition wants to raise in the house — like Adani, Sambhal, Manipur, high prices, joblessness.
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Today, Parliament functions only for 55 days in the entire year, and even in this short duration, if it is adjourned at the behest of the ruling party, questions will be raised about what the House is really expected to do. If it is not allowed to discuss crucial matters, how will solutions be found? Is Parliament only a place for cheerleading and thumping the tables on the arrival of the PM, or is he accountable for what’s happening across the country?
What is happening to India’s democracy is sad. Our first PM wrote columns criticising himself, as there was no strong Opposition at the time, while we now have a PM who cannot tolerate scrutiny and criticism. It’s a stark reminder of how far we’ve strayed from the democratic ideals of our founding fathers.
The writer is chairperson, social media and digital platforms, AICC
