Parliament is becoming a place where MPs cannot even exercise their democratic rights

Parliament, known as the sanctum sanctorum of Indian democracy, is becoming a place where MPs cannot even exercise their democratic rights. This government is conducting the sessions of Parliament in violation of the rules and regulations of the House and every convention of how the House is run.

Over the past days, opposition members have given notices in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha asking that Parliament discuss various issues affecting the people. But the government and the presiding officers are taking the stand that none of these issues will be allowed to be discussed.

Today the Rajya Sabha adjourned until noon without considering any of the notices we gave, but the government decided to meet again in the afternoon to take up government business. The government tried to pass the Marine Aids to Navigation Bill today without discussion. Every member of Parliament has the right to ask for a vote on any bill. When the bill was being passed without any discussion, I demanded a vote, but the Deputy Chairman in the chair did not allow it. What happened in Parliament today was similar to what happened when the farm laws were passed.

The rule of the House is that if any member asks for a vote on a bill, the bill can be passed only after the vote. That rule was violated today. This BJP-led government is functioning by throwing to the winds all the protections the Indian Constitution guarantees MPs, and reducing Parliament and the Indian democratic system to a scarecrow. This is never an acceptable way. In the coming days too, the opposition parties will raise strong agitation against this anti-democratic approach, and will expose each of the BJP government's anti-democratic stands before the people.

Com. Elamaram Kareem MP