Parliament's theatre of the absurd

Parliament has its own theatre. But surely, it can't be theatre. Even as we are used to fish market norms during parliamentary sessions, the new twist of the Lok Sabha speaker reportedly receiving information that opposition MPs 'could do something unexpected' and, therefore, asked the PM to skip Parliament - leading to the cancellation of the PM's reply to the motion of thanks on the president's address - hits a new dramatic mark.

Opposition MPs encircling the PM's seat in protest last Wednesday afternoon, awaiting the PM's entrance, being construed as something sinister is a plot twist the speaker chose not to elaborate on beyond saying, 'If an incident had happened, it would have been a very unpleasant scene that would have torn apart the democratic traditions of the country.' Perhaps, those outside Parliament whom MPs ostensibly represent, should have been told what possible 'incident' was being perceived.

Rules are meant for hoi polloi. That is what our parliamentarians seem to be telling us. Sloganeering in the House, climbing on to the benches, throwing paper seem to have become par for course. 'Rules of Conduct and Procedures for Business' for each House is now a mere suggestion.


Rules are disregarded in the name of protecting democracy, or, worse, 'speaking for the people'. The citizen has a ring side seat, watching their elected representatives throw one norm after another to the wind and normalising this chaos. Democracy isn't just about holding free and fair elections. It's primarily about getting down to the business of democracy.

It's easy to pay lip service to the pride one feels being the 'largest democracy in the world'. But the business of democracy - in Parliament - is where the proof of the pudding lies.