Sad Day for Indian Democracy

Posted on 22. Jul, 2008 by Sarthak K in Featured

India prides itself on the fact that is the largest democracy in the world. And why not, with a population of over 1.2 billion people, having a functioning democracy in a troubled neighborhood with the likes of Pakistan and Bangladesh – where army rule has been the norm more often than a civilian government, it is a big achievement indeed. But many Indian politicians continue to shock us with their antics, and it is no laughing matter that India is ranked pretty low in Transparency International’s corruption index.

Today however, in Lok Sabha (Upper house of Indian parliament) speaker Somnath Chatterjee’s words,

“The parliament of India has reached the lowest position, its nadir.”

What prompted Mr Chatterjee to say that?

As most Indians would know, today the Manmohan Singh Government would be facing a trust vote in Parliament. The present government has been in the doldrums ever since the Left parties withdrew support over the “nuclear deal” issue. And just before today’s crucial trust vote… a BJP member shocked the House by walking in with a bag full of currency notes which he claimed was given by a Samajwadi Party leader in return for his support in the trust vote.

The alleged bribe cash being displayed in the parliament by BJP MPs

That was enough to create a ruckus. Amidst the flutter, Deputy Speaker Charanjit Atwal adjourned the House briefly, leaving members surcharged. Trouble broke out when Ashok Argal, a BJP member from Morena and some others took out wads after wads of currency notes to substantiate their claim that horsetrading had taken place and heavy cash was used to “purchase” MPs for the trial of strength.

Looking at the press gallery, the BJP members alleged that an SP leader promised three of them Rs three crore each, of which Rs one crore was paid in advance. As Atwal asked SP member Mohan Singh to speak on the motion, the BJP members trooped into the well with Argal carying the black leather travel bag full of currency notes.

Argal placed the bag on the table of the Secretary General in front of the Speaker’s podium and fished out 10 bundles of currency notes of 1000 rupees denomination.

Shouting “shame, shame” and alleging horse trading by the Samajwadi Party, the members took turns to flash the money, prompting Atwal to adjourn the house hurriedly.

The incident caught the entire House unawares and members from both sides looked perplexed. When the House reassembled after the brief adjournment, there was no improvement in the situation as the opposition kept blocking the well. Atwal then adjourned the House for the second time on the issue till 1700 hours.

‘It’s a conspiracy’

While SP Chief — Mulayam Singh — accused the BJP of hatching a big conspiracy and said that saffron party’s role in the entire episode must be probed. He further added that the BJP has maligned the reputation of the Lok Sabha.

And who knows, today’s important event might even be suspended after the sad blemish on the Indian parliament. People who call Indian democracy a sham, have found a new confidence today.