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Amit Shah at the All India Speakers Conference urged for debate in Parliament, praised Vithalbhai Patel, and warned that frequent disruptions harm democracy and nation-building.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah. (Photo: X)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday asserted that the Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies are places of debate and discussion and should not be prevented from functioning for political interests.
While addressing the All India Speakers Conference in the National Capital on Sunday, Shah referred to the opposition’s protests and frequent disruptions during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, and said that while symbolic protests have their place, the practice of obstructing the House day after day under the pretext of protests “is not good” for democracy.
The Union Minister said that when there is limited debate or discussion in Parliament, the contribution of the House in nation-building gets affected.
“Debate must take place in a democracy. But it is not good if the House is not allowed to function in the name of opposition for someone’s narrow political gains,” he said as quoted by news agency PTI.
“Opposition should always be restrained. But in the name of opposition, if the House is not allowed to function day after day or session after session, it is not good. The country has to ponder over it, the people have to ponder over it, and elected representatives have to ponder over it,” he added.
Citing the humiliation of the Mahabharata character Droupadi, he said, whenever the dignity of the House is compromised, the country has seen dire consequences.
Shah also lauded the democratic tradition of India since Independence and said democracy here has roots so deep that it has not seen shedding of even a single drop of blood during regime changes, unlike many countries where the democratic situation deteriorated over the years.
He said if there is no debate in Parliament or Legislative Assemblies, these would remain lifeless buildings.
“The task of expressing views in these buildings is done by all members under the leadership of the Speaker, and only then does it become a living entity, which works in the interest of the country and the State,” he said.
Terming the Speaker as the guardian as well as a ’sevak’ (servant), Shah said that the most challenging role in the House is that of the Speaker, as they are elected from a political party, but, upon taking oath, assume the role of an “impartial umpire”.
He said the position of the Speaker of the legislative assembly is of utmost importance, and it is the responsibility of the Speaker to protect the prestige of the House and enhance it. He asserted that brainstorming is the best way to resolve problems of the people in a democracy.
Shah said that the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly must focus on three key aspects — wisdom, ideas, and legislation. He said wisdom gives rise to ideas, and ideas lead to legislation, which is the primary function of the Assembly. The ultimate purpose of any law should be public welfare, he added.
Shah, while addressing the conference, which is being held to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Vithalbhai Patel becoming the first elected Indian President (Speaker) of the Central Legislative Assembly, the Lower House of the legislature of British India, also paid tributes to the leader.
He said on this very day 100 years ago, the great freedom fighter was appointed the President of the Central Legislative Assembly, marking the beginning of India’s legislative history.
“If the freedom struggle of the country was important, then running the country and establishing legislative procedures are equally important. Vitthalbhai Patel played an important role in establishing and strengthening democracy even during difficult days. We should all remember that,” he said.
(With inputs from agencies)
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben…Read More
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben… Read More
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