Lawmakers should learn decent language

Gujarat had contributed some of the best parliamentarians in the past who stood by their conviction. They were highly articulate and at the same time were willing to correct their mistakes and even offer an apology if their unintentional remarks had caused hurt to any of the members. Piloo Mody was one such great parliamentarian who was known not only for being an advocate of liberalism and freedom but also for his wit and humour.

Once Piloo Mody made a remark during one of the debates that the country had gone to dogs. During those days this comment was considered to be a very strong one and Justice Hidayatullah who was the Chairman of Rajya Sabha asked him to withdraw the comment and Piloo did so without batting an eyelid. In fact, there was something much stronger word he had used in the lobbies but that was again in a lighter vein.

But today when one looks at the politicians whether they be seniors or novices, the language they use is atrocious. Every one of them feels that abusing the other is their birth right but then no one should make any adverse comment on them. They don’t hesitate to use words like rowdy against a Chief Minister. There are other start-up politicians who go to the extent of asking people to strip his political opponent and beat him on road irrespective of the high office he is holding.

Another new trend that has been introduced by the neo politicians is to register cases pertaining to an incident that has taken place elsewhere in neighbouring State or even in the national capital. Perhaps this is the new definition of federalism. It has become a fashion to throw mud on the police of one State saying that they have no faith in the police of that State and hence file cases elsewhere.

Even the lawmakers of the BJP in Andhra Pradesh are no exception as one of them wanted the Home Minister to order CBI probe against TDP MLA for allegedly threatening BJP MLAs of attacking them physically. It is surprising that the lawmakers who swear by constitution are sparing no efforts to dilute the importance of law enforcing agencies. The adage that those who stay in glass houses should not throw stones at others fits here aptly.

It is surprising that a BJP MP demands CBI probe into issues which fall under the purview of the State police. What does such a demand mean? Apparently, he wants to say that he has no faith in local police and feels that they are acting as per the dictats of the State government. Recently, we have seen YSRCP leader Y S Jaganmohan Reddy stating that he has no faith in AP police in regard to the attack on him at Visakhapatnam airport. Ultimately, the report given by SIT and NIA are almost similar to each other.

The question now is if one presumes that the BJP leaders do not trust police of a State which is ruled by their political opponents, what about the police in the States where they are ruling? What about Central agencies? Can they say with conviction and authority that the law enforcing agencies under their control are absolutely free of intervention and are absolutely independent?

On one hand, we talk of Swachh Bharat but swachta does not only mean cleaning roads and houses or putting an end to open defecation. It should be cleaning of minds and tongue as well. Criticism should be there, but it should be in a dignified manner and should hit the bull’s eye. Now there is not much time left for elections and hence the tone and tenor of the lawmakers is going to hit a new low but at least after the elections, it would be better if they spend some time to sit in the Parliament Library and go through the records and speeches of great leaders of yesteryears and learn how to raise the level of debates and how to use words and criticise their opponents in sharpest possible words but in a decent manner.