Acharya Tulsi
Once learning went to the scholars and said, "l am your treasure. Preserve me!" The scholars said, "Madam! What ails you? Why are you feeling so downhearted?" Wisdom, giving expression to the sorrow in her heart, said, "You marry me to every Tom, Dick and Harry. It really hurts." The scholars clearly perceived the lines of pain on her face, and moved by pity for her, said, "Madam Speak up without fear! What is it that you want?" said, "Please save me from three kinds of people. Firstly from those who are full of envy? These jealous fools spot a blemish even in other people’s good qualities. Secondly from those who are crooked; to deceive others through trickery is what pleases them most. And thirdly from those who lack self-control; to fulfil their limitless greed they would do anything, however wrong. Such people are totally unworthy of me. By giving me over to them, you stain my character, and give encouragement to the anti-social elements."
This plot from the Upanishads quite fits in with the plight of our present-day parliament. The Parliament is the backbone of democracy. But today she finds herself in a hopeless situation. There are lines of deep suffering on her face and despair in her eyes; he is knocking at the door of the public, saying, "O public, you elected the best among you and sent them to me but all these are now bent upon dishonouring me. I am in great danger. Save me! Preserve me, please!"
On being asked to elucidate what she wanted, the Parliament said, "Please keep three kinds of people away from me. Firstly those who oppose for the sake of opposition. Secondly those who reach the corridor of power by securing votes through wrongful means. And thirdly those who have no control over their tongue and no equilibrium in their conduct. Their indiscipline behaviour makes me hang my head down in shame. So, kindly take pity on me and prevent such people from entering me."
The Parliament is the highest institution of the country, and its members may in a way be said to be supreme. The dignity of such an institution must also be held to be paramount. There was a time when people from the entire world over used to come to India to be trained in the ethics of character. It would greatly redound to all glory of our Parliament if representatives from all the parliaments of the world come to India today to be trained in the system of parliamentary democracy. But in the present circumstances, there does not seem to be any ground for such a possibility." What to speak of its paramount glory, a Parliament where even common courtesy is lacking, has nothing whatever to teach anybody.
The members of Parliament constitute its beauty; their conduct, behaviour, speech, tone and toleration its adornments. But do our parliamentarians ever think along these lines?
ln a democracy, the present of an opposition is a must. Where there are two camps—of the ruling party, and the opposition—the note of protest would inevitably arise. However,to terminate the -very existence of the opposition or any kind of protest in a democracy is fraught with grave danger. After all, whether it is the Government or the opposition, their aim is to further and protects the national interest. It is their duty to acquaint themselves with the people’s pleasure and pain, to share in their joys and sorrows, and to try to resolve their problems. However, when our parliamentarians, forgetting high ideals, descend to the lowest level and indulge in squabbles, it places a question mark on the-very dignity and utility of the Parliament. When even humane values are discarded, how can we expect our Parliament to protect the national interest?
The Parliament has its own decorum. To maintain this decorum is as much the responsibility of the opposition as that of the government. To put hurdles in the way of the ruling party is not the role of the opposition, nor does it become the ruling party to crush all opposition and establish its own autocratic rule. If both sides cooperate in finding a solution to all national problems, and make earnest efforts to fulfil their resolve to give the country a better future, there would be no occasion for deadly confrontation.
Confrontation arises where the relationship between the ruling party and the opposition is adverse. Indulgence in abuse, an exchange of blows, grabbing and scrambling and character- assassination only produce greater animosity.’ The hurling of chairs and shoes at one another is an extremely disgraceful activity. lf such strange happenings become the routine in its functioning, it would be futile to expect-from our Parliament any constructive criticism or decision.
Polite language, courteous behaviour and sober criticism not only add to the dignity of the Parliament, but also create the right kind of atmosphere for balanced "thinking and decision—making. lf before entry into Parliament, the members are imparted proper training in courteous and balanced behaviour, the Parliament will have no cause for complaint, the public no occasion for anxiety and the people of other countries will not be able to indulge in mockery at the expense of the Indian Parliament.
