LS Speaker Om Birla expresses concern over ruckus in Parliament, state assemblies

Addressing the Assam assembly, the Lok Sabha Speaker said that, to obstruct the proceedings of the house is not right, ethically or constitutionally.

“Many times, the disruptions are not organic but pre-planned. Democracy is based on debates and dialogue. But continuous disruption of debates in the house, lack of decorum is a matter of serious concern. This is hurting the dignity and prestige of our democratic institutions. Such conduct in our democratic institutions is even more disturbing. All the parties should hold mutual discussions, dialogue with each other in order to enhance the dignity and prestige of the house," Birla said.

"The house should function as a centre of dialogue and discussion so that we are able to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of the people who have elected us and reposed their faith in us,” he said.

The Lok Sabha Speaker further said that, laws are being enacted without comprehensive discussion.

“It is a matter of grave concern that legislative bodies are witnessing a continual decline in debates and discussions. Laws are also being enacted without comprehensive discussion. If people lose faith and trust in these institutions, it puts a question mark on our democratic procedures."

"Hence, it is our responsibility to ensure that the faith and trust of the people in the democratic institutions remains unbroken. For this, it is imperative to hold extensive discussions and debates in the house to ensure that the decisions taken therein are in the best interests of the people. This is the only way to ensure the welfare of the people,”  Birla said.

He further said that, our legislatures should hold extensive deliberations in the House while formulating laws.

“We should aim for maximum participation of the people and the various stakeholders, for whom we are formulating the laws, so that those laws lead to policies that result in welfare of the people and impart justice to them in true sense,” Birla said.

He also said that governments come and go, hence, it is the collective responsibility of all the parties to consider how we can make the democratic institutions more strong and resilient.

“Since parliamentary democracy is the best system and there is no better alternative, then, in the 75th year of independence, all the public representatives and all the parties will have to consider and mull over how to make democratic institutions more transparent and accountable towards the people. Many a time, these democratic institutions of our country and the states have shored-up and strengthened our democracy and its capabilities through their political maturity and commitment towards democracy."

"To ensure that parliamentary democracy remains relevant and useful for the common man, it is essential for us to act in conformity with the traditions and principles of parliamentary democracy and remain committed towards the fundamental values of democracy. We should all come together to hold discussions through our democratic institutions. For this, we have to make efforts to make our parliament, our legislatures model institutions. Only then will our democracy be successful and meaningful,” the Lok Sabha Speaker said.

Birla said that Assam is a vibrant example of unity in diversity.

“The North-Eastern state of Assam is a vibrant example of this. We can say that Assam is the bridge that connects the richly diverse North-East with the rest of India. This diversity makes our democracy even more resilient,” Om Birla said.

Earlier, the Lok Sabha Speaker launched the Assam Legislative Assembly Digital TV at a programme in the central hall of the legislature.