New Delhi: Expressing concern over the alleged lathi charge on protesters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Monday, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor urged the Government to allow discussions on “burning issues” in Parliament.
Condemning the use of force against peaceful protesters, the veteran leader said that just as protests should remain non-violent, Parliament should logically prioritise discussing urgent national issues to represent the voice of the people.
“When a non-violent protest is taking place, what is the reason for a lathi-charge? Lathi charge is not an act of non-violence. It is an act of violence. I don’t understand the logic of this. Similarly, here in Parliament, everyone knows these are burning issues across the country. It would be logical to have a discussion on them. Parliament is supposed to be the place where we can ventilate the voice of the people, the concerns of the people. Once we do that, we all know the government has a majority,” Tharoor told ANI.
Attributing the House disruptions to the government’s refusal to hold discussions, the Thiruvananthapuram MP asserted that Parliament should function as a deliberative forum for debate rather than acting as a mere notice board for passing government bills without scrutiny.
Such cooperation must be a “give and take” process, where the Opposition will assist in House proceedings if the Government permits discussions on key issues, he said.
“But right now, just refusing a discussion is what has led to today’s disruption because the opposition wanted these issues up there, wanted an opportunity to talk about them on the floor of the house. If Parliament is not for raising these issues, then honestly, what is it for? I mean, it can’t just be a sort of notice board for the government to announce its bills and get them passed with a rubber stamp. That’s not what Parliament is all about. It should be a forum where all these views can be heard, discussed, debated as necessary and then passed,” Tharoor said.
The former diplomat emphasised the democratic principle that while the Government has the majority to pass legislation, the Opposition must be granted the platform to voice constituent concerns and debate policies before they are enacted.
“As the old saying goes, the Opposition must have its say because the Government will have its way. They have the majority. But at least let Parliament be a forum where these concerns can be heard, can be truly ventilated and voiced, where various people can represent the views of their constituents. Then the Government can disagree,” he said.
“The Prime Minister has sought cooperation from the Opposition. We’ll cooperate if they cooperate. The idea should be that there should be mutual cooperation. Let them permit certain discussions. This has got to be give and take. That’s the way Parliament is supposed to function,” he added.
Both houses were adjourned on the first day of the Monsoon Session due to repeated disruptions and ruckus.
