Parliament might soon require bouncers!

By: Subhadeep Bhattacharjee

Subhash Yadav, Sabir Ali, Veerpal Singh Yadav, Nand Kishore Yadav, Amir Alam Khan and Kamal Akhtar, and Ejaz Ali were nominated to represent the people in the temple of Indian democracy. These people have now been suspended for their unruly behaviour in the Rajya Sabha. What's worse is the fact that they defied the action by Rajya Sabha. These parliamentarians (read hooligans) refused to leave the house after being suspended. Marshals had to drag them out of the house in an incident which has shamed the entire nation.

The scene was such that many would have felt the need for bouncers in our parliament. Bouncers might soon find government jobs thanks to the behaviour of our netas! The manner in which these MPs attacked Vice President Hamid Ansari was no different from a drunk unruly individual in a bar. The only difference is that they did all this without being intoxicated which goes to show the level at which our polity stands today.

The Lok Sabha or the lower house has witnessed many lows but the Rajya Sabha was considered to be a house of solemnity and intelectuals but all these have been shattered. State assemblies have witnessed hooliganism throughout the 60 years of the Indian republic but the Parliament luckily hadn't witnessed such incidents regularly. But the incident on Monday has shocked the entire nation. Much worse is the fact that the hooligans who committed the sinful act seem to have no remorse.

The MPs who represent some of most backward regions of the country Women's Reservation Bill was moved for discussion. This perhaps shows the reason behind the backwardness of these regions of the country. There is enough space for protests within Indian parliamentary democracy and if any party opposes the bill should stand up against this in a democratic manner. Although BJP and the Congress are on the same side of this bill some narrow minded political forces seem to be against making it a law.

It remains to be seen what action the Parliament takes on this issue. Suspension seems to be too less a punishment in this case. If not some bouncers should be employed by the Lok Sabha as well as the Rajya Sabha to protect a few descent men and women from such hooligans.