Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Unedifying behaviour

The common man's understanding that democracy presupposes dissent stands rudely distorted by the Opposition's disruptive behaviour in Parliament. True, confidence in one's objectivity must be "commanded," not "demanded," as pointed out by Atal Bihari Vajpayee in his letter to the Speaker. But is the Opposition allowing Somnath Chatterjee to do so, despite his best efforts? Pray, which treatise on the working of Parliament or legislature speaks for stalling proceedings?

The Opposition is not agitating on people's issues, preoccupied as it is with matters not necessarily of real significance. If this is not unedifying behaviour, what is (editorial, Aug. 11)? The BJP members should not forget the elementary etiquette of agreeing to disagree, which is a more civilised way of expressing dissent.

M.K.D. Prasada Rao,
Bangalore

* * *

Mr. Vajpayee's August 8 letter to the Speaker was in poor taste. As a taxpayer, I expect our representatives to conduct business in Parliament.

Air Commodore V.V. Nair (retd.),
Alappuzha, Kerala

* * *

The editorial depicts the abysmal levels to which an Opposition party can fall in strangulating debate and casting aspersions on a Speaker of most unimpeachable credentials in the annals of Indian parliamentary history. He can be faulted, if at all, for being a little too mild.

Kasim Sait,
Chennai

* * *

Unfortunately, the Parliament House has become a pandemonium house. Rushing to the well, shouting in chorus, dharnas, and walkouts have become commonplace.

S. Janakiraman,
Coimbatore

* * *

Mr. Vajpayee has only lamented that the Presiding Officer is unable to inspire as much confidence in the Opposition as he is able to do in the ruling parties. It is too simplistic to interpret his remarks as questioning Mr. Chatterjee's impartiality. His observation that confidence in one's fairness and objectivity should not be demanded was obviously sparked by the apparent sidelining of the Opposition, particularly the BJP, in the House. Mr. Chatterjee is no doubt fair; but he should also appear to be fair.

Col. C.V. Venugopalan (retd.),
Palakkad, Kerala

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