Open Forum

New Delhi, 19 January 2011

Murder of Parliament

WHITHER DEMOCRACY?

By P K Nigam

Author, Reflections on History of World in 20thC

Crores of rupees of public money are spent on Parliament, which has not been functioning for the last few months. Some Opposition political parties are lusting for power and want to win the next Parliamentary elections to rule in Delhi. They are using Parliament as a tool to fulfill their ambition. Clearly, this action is most foul. 

Undoubtedly, the people should denounce the murder of Parliament, arguably the most important pillar of democracy.  Sadly, the problem has proved to be too big for politicians who think they can do anything to gain power. The aam aadmi need to take up the issue and see that Parliament functions properly and serves the purpose that is required of it.

If any MP is allowed to force Parliament to accept his view(s), otherwise it will not function, this will result in the death of not only Parliament but also democracy.  Recall, a Parliamentary democracy was considered necessary for a diverse country like India. The country has weathered many serious problems yet it has survived.  Democracy has served us well and made a floundering poverty-stricken country into a major power marching to becoming one the most important nations in the world. 

History tells us that on 7 December 1947 India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru wrote to the States Chief Ministers whereby he stated, “We have a great deal of evidence to show that the Rashtriya Sevak Sangh (RSS) is an organization which is in the nature of a private army and which is definitely proceeding on strictest Nazi lines, even following the technique of organization ….. 

“I have some knowledge of the way the Nazi movement developed in Germany. It attracted by its superficial trappings and strict discipline considerable number of lower middle class young men and women who are normally not too intelligent… And so they drifted towards the Nazi party, because its policy and programme, such as they were, were simple and negative and did not require an active effort of the mind. The Nazi party brought Germany to its ruin and I have little doubt that if these tendencies are allowed to spread and increase in India, they would do enormous injury to India,” he added for good measure.

After the assassination of Gandhiji, Nehru again wrote to the Chief Ministers on 5 February1948, “We have banned the RSS organization. Investigations are proceeding. But enough has come to light already to show that this assassination was not the act of just an individual or small group. It is clear that behind him (Nathu Ram Godse) lay a fairly widespread organization and a deliberate propaganda of hate and violence carried on for a long time.”

Nehru stated, “It is clear that a deliberate coup d’ etat was planned involving the killing of several persons and promotion of general disorder to enable the particular group concerned to seize power. … It is equally absurd to talk of civil liberty to be granted to those who wish to seize power by murder and violence. … We must remember that people opposed to us are thoroughly unscrupulous. They say one thing and do another.”

Again, on 6 December the same year Nehru noted, “The RSS has been essentially a secret organization with a public façade, having no rules or membership, no registers, no accounts, although large sums are collected.” This led the RSS to organize satyagrah from 8 December 8 1948 to 19 January 1949 to demand the release of their leaders and removal of the ban on its organization.

While the ban on the Organisation was lifted on 2 February 1949, the RSS leaders including RSS Chief M.S.S. Golwalkar were released from jail on 13 July 1949 after Golwalkar gave an affirmation of complete loyalty to the Union Constitution and respect for the Union flag a day earlier.

Again on 31 December the same year Nehru wrote, “The RSS has not indulged in any obvious public activity except for some ugly scenes at the time of the Hindu Code Bill debate. But all our information goes to show that their minds function as of old, and I have little doubt that they will act as of old, when they have a chance to do so. We must, therefore, be on our guard against these harmful developments.”  This is not all. Subsequently, Nehru told Gundevia, “The danger to India, mark you, is not communism. It is Hindu right wing communalism.”

Undoubtedly, as historical records show Parliament has to be saved in the interest of the nation and democracy. Why penalize the institution for no fault of it. Today, the world over civilized societies believes that punishment should be in proportion to offence. One cannot cut off the hand that picks up a handkerchief.  The time has come for the public to demand two important things. One, Parliament must start meeting and functioning immediately. Two, laws must be made to prevent MPs from stopping its functioning. 

Any Right Honourable seeking long absence from Parliament should get permission from the Speaker of the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha Chairman. Permission should only be given for valid reasons and not for political motives. In addition, in case of disobedience, withholding of a MP’s salary and likely expulsion could also be weaved in. ---- INFA

(Copyright, India News and Feature Alliance)