Mahesh Vijapurkar
It was good that Lagadapati Rajagopal yesterday used the word "mob" to describe his fellow honourable lawmakers. Had anyone of us ordinary mortals had done that, it may have attracted a breach of privilege notice and even punishment because Parliament is supreme and its members are equally so.
L Rajagopal. PTI image
When SPY Reddy, another MP from Andhra Pradesh, explained on CNN-IBN last night during the discussion on the conduct of the MPs, including Rajagopal's use of a pepper spray, that "We are also gentlemen", those watching the show may have chortled but would not have been amused.
When the UPA II government's flip flops on the Telangana policy – or rather inconsistent stances and inability to take them to a proper closure – was sighted as a justification for the invasion of the well by the MPs, and later scuffle, it made no sense. The well is not for use by MPs, period, whatever the provocation.
Later, even today, Rajagopal continued to justify that the whole thing was an assault on democracy – less his action of using a pepper spray, more the provocation for his indefensible actions - but it cut no ice. It was a school-boyish action, to say the least, but then, what else to expect?
After parliamentary conduct has reached its nadir, one would normally expect an improvement. When it can't fall further, it ought to rise, but in this case, any optimism is unjustified for two reasons. One, the jolt delivered – a blow in the solar plexus, really – by the Aam Aadmi Party did not make the political class smell coffee.
Two, the quality of MPs is on the decline. They are not ready to reform even as 'alternative' politics has surfaced right in their altar, the capital city. There is a presumption that after an AAP blip things can and will return to normal.
Neither have the presiding officers have shown an ability to control the chaos that surface so often, especially in the present Lok Sabha which is on its last few weeks of existence. The Business Standard sees their "culpability" in not imposing order. They have been like indulgent school teachers.
Television discussions, though not always meaningful, this time threw up the fact that the Speakers of the Lok Sabha and the Chairmen of the Rajya Sabha have hesitated to use the use of marshals because the parties have not been supportive. This has encouraged the members to run literally amok like they did yesterday.
Then who can help bring in a change of attitude? Even those who lambasted the AAP for bringing anarchy misbehaved in the Delhi Assembly, making the well their arena, and taking, as it were, the street to the legislature. They and others in parliament talk of constitutionality, but as a platitude.
Such claimed upholders of constitutionality, should be shame-faced for forcing the Speaker Meira Kumari to leave her seat because of the pepper spray reaching her. At least in the Chambers of Princes in the pre-Independence days, the egotistic rulers bowed to the Viceroy in deference. Even that pretence is missing here.
Kumar, in her stoic manner, keeps urging the garrulous, unruly MPs frequently to baith jao, baith jao. Her predecessor, PA Sangma beseeched the MPs to be orderly because with live telecast "the world is watching us", but to no avail. He often rose, waving his arms and in such moments Parliament was reduced to a caricature.
The belief is live telecast by Lok Sabha TV and its Rajya Sabha counterpart, only improved the members' sartorial tastes. The contention that despite telecasting, their conduct has nose-dived is not out of place. Probably, their antics are showcased as work to their constituents.
MPs throw their weight around everywhere simply because they are MPs. The recent claim to a new privileges, forcing the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to ask private airlines to provide them with an escort, a porter, access to lounges and refreshments – all for free - did not add to their image.
After Rajagopal helped take the parliamentary conduct to new low – The Hindu has described it as part of "a long and unedifying history of parliamentary pandemonium" – and worsened it with his defence, the public can legitimately fear worse conduct outside the legislative bodies.
A Facebook post suggests that if such a class of people are given exemptions, then other people may be at risk. They may pull out "a pepper spray or a knife on getting into an argument with fellow passenger or crew". It could "endanger the flight". Instead of privileges, they should be subjected baggage checks, including a cavity search.
But given the desperation to which the country has been driven to by these, one suggestion is for the country's voters to seek a one-time short disorder. If only each voter were to use the NOTA option in the upcoming elections, and send not one of them to Delhi, the lesson could be driven home.
Yes, it could be anarchic but not unlawful. But after such anarchy, some order, including having only public-spirited, not self-centred elected representatives, can follow. It could lead to a purposeful law-making body. Who knows, it might give us the quality of MPs we had soon after Independence.
All within the span of a few months till a re-election is conducted.
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