NEW DELHI: Reiterating his disappointment over the chaotic Parliament session, vice president and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday warned lawmakers not to mistake ‘disorder’ for ‘order.’ His message comes against the backdrop of a winter session that has proven to be the most unproductive in more than a year.
The session, held from November 25 to December 20, was marred by violence, protests, and a significant drop in productivity. It operated for roughly half its scheduled time, with the Lok Sabha functioning for 57% of its scheduled time and the Rajya Sabha for 43%.
Calling for accountability, Dhankhar said, “Make no mistake, I am referring to parliamentarians. People have learned to take disorder as order. There is no sense of revulsion.”
“Hopefully, people will write and their thoughts will move. People will force you to think, ‘Why did you go there (Parliament)?'” the RS chair added.
The dissatisfaction over the lack of productivity in both Houses was echoed on the last day of the session. Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar urged political parties to rise above political differences and restore the dignity of parliamentary discourse. Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla skipped the customary valedictory speech, instead issuing a stern warning just before ‘Vande Mataram’ was played to mark the session’s end.
“It is improper to hold any protests or demonstrations at any of Parliament’s gates. You must follow the rules in this regard. I urge you once again to take this warning seriously,” LS Speaker Om Birla said on Friday.
“The world watches our democracy, yet we fail our citizens through our conduct. These Parliamentary disruptions mock public trust and expectations. Our fundamental duty to serve with diligence lies neglected,” the Rajya Sabha chairman said in his address to the House before it was adjourned on Friday.
Referring to the unabated disruptions since the session began, Dhankhar lamented, “Where reasoned dialogue should prevail, we witness only chaos.” The Vice President, against whom the opposition submitted a no-confidence motion, urged every parliamentarian from all parties to “examine their conscience.”
“The citizens of our democracy – one-sixth of humanity – deserve better than this spectacle. We squander precious opportunities that could serve the greater good of our people. I hope Members will introspect deeply, and citizens exercise their accountability. These hallowed chambers deserve conduct that honours our oath, not theatrics that betray it,” he concluded.
