While one might not agree with the manner in which they went about it but there is no denying that the demand by opposition members in both Houses of Parliament for a discussion on the breach of security at the new Parliament building and a statement on the issue from Home minister Amit Shah was valid. The issue is serious and needs to be discussed in the House. Home minister Shah should have made a statement by disclosing all facts available with the government to put an end to the protests by opposition members. He would have been hailed for it. By not making a statement, he added fuel to fire and the opposition members vented their anger in an undignified manner. But the opposition must not politicize what basically is a security issue.
While they were wrong, suspension of the opposition MPs is too harsh a punishment. There been uglier scenes in Parliament without suspensions. But this time it seems that the government is bent on preventing the opposition from politicizing the issue. However, by acting harshly, it is providing more fodder to the opposition. The government must revoke the suspension of the 14 MPs and allow a discussion on the issue. The opposition, on its part, must let Parliament function and press its demands in other ways. It must also cooperate with the government and the probe committee so that the truth comes out and problems in the security setup are addressed. After all, the safety and security of the Parliament building is an issue of national importance. But it seems that the opposition is also bent on forcing the government to agree to its demands. It disrupted the proceedings on Friday too and Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned minutes after the House assembled as opposition MPs stormed the well shouting slogans and waving placards. As this is going to affect work, the government must find a way to break this logjam.
