Governor Shri Haribhau Bagade said that the roots of Indian Parliamentary Democracy are strong. No doubt there has been some decline in dignity, but our ethos and culture are so rich that both the dignity and the future of parliamentary democracy are secure.
Governor Bagade was speaking as the chief guest at the workshop of Mewar-affiliated Vidhan Sabha Speaker Samagam on the topic ‘Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’ held at Udaipur under the aegis of Vardhman Mahavir Open University, Kota on Thursday. Speaker Vasudev Devnani presided over the function. Former presidents Kailash Meghwal, Shantilal Chaplot and Dr CP Joshi were the special guests on the dais.
Governor Bagade said that earlier there used to be more discussion on the subject in the House, now the difference of subject has started increasing. People’s representatives do not participate in the debate on the bill with interest, while there should be a factual debate on it. He said that there are people of different ideologies in the House, despite this, earlier there was mutual respect among them, but now there is more acrimony. Sharing his experience of the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker’s post, he said that political ideologies may be different, but the motto of all public representatives should be focused on public welfare.
Shri Bagade said that the Assembly is functioning excellently in Rajasthan. The main reason for this is that the people here are cultured and civilised. The people of Rajasthan have unwavering faith in God. So be calm and patient. The people’s representative is part of this society, so the House is able to run well and will continue to do so in the future.
Rajasthan Assembly is the best in the country: Devnani
Shri Vasudev Devnani, Speaker, Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, who presided over the workshop, said that the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly today is the best among all the State Houses in the country. The proceedings of the Assembly can be watched live by 8 crore people of the state through the YouTube channel. This will improve the conduct and behaviour of the members and transparency is also being maintained. The Rajasthan Assembly is in session. All the MLAs have been given iPads and for the first time, more than 70 percent of the MLAs have adopted paperless work using it. This will be done in the coming sessions.
Shri Devnani said that we have come from monarchy to democracy. Every government has worked for the welfare of the people. In the House, in the past, the parties and the opposition used to respect each other, but somewhere it has decreased. Its effect is seen in the functioning of the House as well as in the fulfilment of public expectations. He said that the tendency of studying among the legislators has also decreased. are now limited to just appreciating their respective sides. The ruckus in the House has started due to political polarisation and for propaganda purposes. The media has also started giving more importance to negative things, while positive efforts need to be highlighted. Shri Devnani also emphasised on training of MLAs. He said there should be systematic training at the party level on how MLAs should conduct themselves in the House after winning. Though there are trainings, there is no discussion about the dignity and decorum of the House.
Strict discipline is a must
Shri Devnani said that the Presiding Officer has to be strict to maintain the discipline and decorum of the House, but this does not mean that questions should be raised on the Chair. Comparing the presiding officer with the mother, he said that the way the mother gets upset with the child’s actions and asks him to leave the house, but the saliva does not come out of his throat until he returns, the same is the case with the asana. All the members of the House are his family. So the member is called back, for that discussion is done from both side and opposition.
Former Speaker Shri Kailash Meghwal said that all things have changed with time. Positive changes are welcome, but lack of healthy discussion on the Bill is not good. There is a shortage of educated people. The use of the Assembly library has reduced. Members are not even able to speak on any important subject and law making has also become a ritual.
Former Speaker Shri Shantilal Chaplot said that the concept of democracy in India dates back to ancient times. The era of Lord Shri Ram is the best example of this. The same system was there during the time of Lord Rishabhdev, Mahavir Swami. The legislature is an important component of the present parliamentary democratic system. It regulates the legislative as well as the executive functions.
Former Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Dr. C. P. Joshi, while opening the talk from the Preamble of the Indian Constitution, said that the basic spirit of parliamentary democracy is enshrined in the Preamble. Since the introduction of the Constitution, all governments have worked keeping in mind the basic principles of social, political and economic justice, secularism and socialism.
On this occasion, MLA Najar Singh Manshahia, DC Mohinderpal, SDM Sagar Setia, Chairman Zila Parishad Bikram Mofar, Chairman Market Committee Gian Chand Singla, Kulwant Rai Singla, Ranjit Kaur Bhatti and Chairman Block Samiti Karamjit Kaur were also present.