AA Edit | Unparliamentary utterances

It is a fact that Parliament, meant for debate and discussion on issues that concern the country, at times reduces itself into a platform of unacceptable behaviour but what the Lok Sabha witnessed on Friday went beyond its Lakhsman Rekha. The terminology BJP member Ramesh Bidhuri used against BSP’s Danish Ali must shock all those who believe in Parliament and its businesses. It was so objectionable that the Speaker expunged the remarks from the records and warned his colleague of tough action if such behaviour is repeated. Deputy leader of the House and defence minister Rajnath Singh expressed regret, too.

It appears that the nasty chapter has not ended there; More BJP MPs have come out with more serious allegations against the BSP MP and demanded a probe. Ali, on his part, has alleged that the ruling party verbally lynched him in the House and is now giving a call to lynch him outside, too. He also wanted an investigation into the allegations made against him.

It is important that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla must find a way out to end the slugfest. The abuse of a member by another in clearly unacceptable terms cannot go unpunished and become a practice; expunging the remarks is hardly sufficient. It is important that every citizen, be he a member of Parliament or a voter, go by accepted practices and principles of public behaviour; it is all the more important when it comes to Parliament. Disrespect to one member is disrespect to the people who elected him, and by extension to all the citizens. The Speaker must act in such a way it enhances the confidence of all people in Parliament and its working and should act as a deterrent for its repeat. The House must resonate with arguments that appeal to reason; uncouth behaviour has no place in the temple of democracy.