January 22, 2025

The last few days have raised hopes that our parliamentarians will leave their boorish and ugly behavior behind and usher in an era of civility and cooperation in the House. Although all the civil interactions were between high flying individuals, there were ample indications that boorishness is set to be not tolerated anymore. This has to become the rule for the country to benefit.

The first indication came when Home Minister Rajnath Singh was replying to Rahul Gandhi’s speech on the problem with the Amethi Food Park. Even as the minister was speaking, the BJP backbenchers resorted to booing Gandhi. Singh immediately turned towards them and asked them to desist from such activity. He then went on to assure Gandhi that his complaint will be looked into.

Then, moving the Bangladesh land swap bill in Rajya Sabha, External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj told the house with all humility that it was Manmohan Singh and his government who had done all the hard work for the same and she was only executing it in toto. This immediately won her praise from almost everyone. Swaraj showed how some good words can lead to cooperation among political opponents.

Finally, when the bill moved by Swaraj got passed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked Congress president Sonia Gandhi for her support. Although all the above were not firsts and many parliamentarians have thanked opponents in their speeches at various times, there are signs that the logjam in the current parliament can be broken if this spirit of goodwill is carried forward.

It is very easy to needle someone to the point of making him an adversary. Difference in political ideology should never come in the way of passing legislation for the country’s benefit. But our MP’s often display a destructive streak by indulging in tantrums and outright uncouth behavior that hardens political opinions. This has to stop, as important legislation gets stuck due to these antics. Opponents become inflexible. Flexibility, and understanding the other person’s view, is important in a democracy. Hopefully, our MP’s will reflect on the business done in the last few days and learn to behave.