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Democracy endangered

When those working for the essential services sector are banned from resorting to strikes, why is there no restriction on Members of Parliament obstructing the work of the House? Is Parliament not an essential institution? When workers strike work, statistics are rolled out on the quantum of revenue loss and man-day loss. Alternative forms of protests are suggested. But when it comes to politicians, their dissent seems to know no bounds. When pressing issues such as flood disaster and poverty are crying for attention, politicians will do well to address them.

M.J. Ruben,
Chennai

The BJP is unlikely to stop its disruptive activities. It looks like the winter session of Parliament will end without important business being transacted. Such political terrorism by the Opposition will shatter the fabric of democracy in the long run.

M.N. Srinivasan,
Vellore, T.N.

Is democracy on the decline in India? Scenes in Parliament over the last few days enforce the opinion that it is. Why should the parties allow their narrow political considerations to interfere with the functioning of Parliament? All the noise and protests by the Opposition have only led to the resignation of Natwar Singh, one of the accused in the oilgate scam. Should not the priority of parliamentarians be rooting out corruption from the nation? And does that not require smooth conduct of legislative business?

M. Sreehari,
Haripad, Kerala

The direction the debate on the Volcker report is taking promises to be more rancorous in the coming days. Now that the Congress has dragged the BJP into the controversy, there will be more mudslinging, noise, walkouts, and adjournments. Certainly there will be no meaningful discussions.

K. Sivaraman,
Chennai

This refers to a reader's query why the Congress leaders cannot follow the path of their erstwhile leaders such as Lal Bahadur Shastri (Letters, Dec. 5). In the 1960s, parliamentarians felt indebted to the people who elected them. But the Opposition today has completely forgotten its responsibility to the people and to the House.

H. Ravikumar Pai,
Kochi, Kerala

The frustrated outburst of Somnath Chatterjee that he is ashamed to be the Speaker is understandable. Despite giving him assurances to the contrary, the BJP and its allies have been stalling Parliament almost every day since the start of winter session. Their demand for Sonia Gandhi's resignation is not only unreasonable but also defies logic. If they still feel they have to protest, they can hold meetings and demonstrations outside Parliament. Looking at the manner in which the BJP is resorting to undemocratic means inside the House, one cannot help thinking that it wants to deflect attention from infighting in the party.

K. Murlidar,
Chennai

Mr. Chatterjee's anguish is unfortunate. Maybe it is only a matter of time before the gentleman politician realises that keeping the House in order is beyond human estimate.

Sannapareddy Krishna Reddy,
Nellore, A.P.

As citizens of a responsible democracy, we understand the need for the Opposition to protest and expose the Government's wrongdoings. But what is not tolerable is Parliament being used as a forum for mounting personal attacks and wasting business hours at the cost of the exchequer.

Mr. Chatterjee's compelling statement that he is ashamed of being the Speaker speaks volumes about his helplessness in dealing with unruly members. That the high priest of the temple of Indian democracy finds it disrespectable to conduct the House is the most shameful indictment of the Opposition.

Sutirtha Sahariah,
New Delhi

Instead of lamenting the behaviour of members, Mr. Chatterjee should think of ways in which to rein them in. Expression of frustration is no solution. As a first step, live telecast of the proceedings should be stopped to save the little respect elected representatives carry on their shoulders.

Col. (retd.) Ram Gulrajani,
Chennai

The Volcker issue is outdated. It is time for the Opposition to cook up something new.

M. Vishnu Menon,
Thiruvananthapuram

If students do not meet the minimum attendance requirement, they are barred from appearing in the final examinations. As suggested by a reader (Letters, Dec. 9), minimum number of working days should be fixed for MPs and MLAs.

G. Balaji,
Coimbatore

The controversy surrounding the issue seems to be mostly media-inspired and blown up. Maybe a consensus should be evolved on a standard procedure to ask a Minister under fire from the media to quit.

It should not become a convention to ask one to put in his papers at the slightest pretext. Anyone's reputation can fall by the wayside if media allegations are given credence. L.K. Advani and his ilk should remember that the same fate could befall them as well. The Congress too should find newer ways of crisis management.

Gnana. Surabhi Mani,
Madurai, T.N.

The whole Volcker business is one of the disguised means the U.S. has adopted to arm-twist India into yielding to its demand that New Delhi sever its ties with Teheran and the oil pipeline project. India's reluctance to do so has brought this onslaught. Instead of making the most of this episode, the Opposition parties need to stand by the Government at least till the Pathak inquiry report is out.

V. Gayathri,
Mysore

This refers to the debate on politicians versus people in these columns. Politicians and government officials have a much larger responsibility towards society than a common man has. A common man fighting against a corrupt system cannot obtain the results that a determined politician can.

S. Sudhir Kumar,
Waltham, Massachusetts

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