Straying from its constitutional duty to represent people’s hopes and aspirations parliament risks sliding into irrelevance, says Chairman RS

Vice President’s Secretariat

Posted On: 28 NOV 2024 3:20PM by PIB Delhi

Amid disruption today in Rajya Sabha, Chairman Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar urged the members to adhere to discipline and decorum. Pleading them to follow rules of the parliamentary procedure, he stated Honourable members, yesterday marked a historic milestone – the beginning of the final quarter-century before our Constitution turns 100.

This was a moment for our House of Elders, guided by the spirit of nationalism, to send a powerful message of hope to 1.4 billion people, reaffirming our commitment to their dreams and aspirations and our journey towards विकसित भारत@2047. It is with deep concern, I must say we missed this historic opportunity. Where there should have been productive dialogue, constructive engagement, echoing the collective aspirations of our people. We fell short of our their expectations. 

Hon’ble Members, this chamber is more than just a house of debate – our national spirit has to echo from here.  

Parliamentary disruption is not a remedy, it’s a malady. It weakens our foundation. It slides parliament into irrelevance. We must continue to have our relevance. When we engage in this kind of conduct, we deviate from constitutional ordainment. We show our back to our duties. If parliament strays from its constitutional duty to represent people’s hopes and aspirations, it is our duty to nurture nationalism, further democracy. I urge you all to embrace the spirit of meaningful dialogue. Let us return to traditional thoughtful discussion. 

Today in Rajya Sabha on a question from Hon’ble member, Shri Jairam Ramesh, Chairman RS replied saying that: There is a good question emanating from, I would say, my dear friend Jairam Ramesh. He says, how do we persuade the chair? It’s a good question. Therefore, I seek to answer it. 

We persuade the chair historically only by exhibiting highest standard of conformance to the rules. And as I indicated yesterday, the ruling of the chair must evoke deference and not a challenge. And I’m sure rules are so comprehensive that they enable every member of parliament to contribute. Let me advert for a moment, during last session, we had the occasion to make a location of time, and we failed to utilise the time because of want of speakers. And therefore, there can be no grievance at all to voice your concerns. but in accordance with rules. If we start having our practice my way or no way, that is not only not democratic, that will pose a great challenge to the very existence of this sacred theater. I have no doubt any deviation from the rules is virtually sacrileging this temple.

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JK/SM

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