The chaotic Monsoon session of Parliament, 2021
Opinion X Politics
Discussion, Debate, Dialogue are 3 words that people usually associate with the parliament of the world’s most populous democracy. However, when none of them really happen in a 17-day long Monsoon Session which costs about INR 9 crore per day, one is bound to wonder, “Is this what we pay taxes for?”
Post a devastating Covid second wave, this was the first time that the parliament convened for a session. One would’ve wished it would be full of meaningful debates and discussions on how to revive the battered economy.
But, alas! How many times do we really get what we wish for? Shouting, screaming, sloganeering & (almost) physically fIghting is what we saw.
This was the least productive session of the Modi Government’s 2nd term.
Almost mid-way through its term, Lok Sabha has still not elected a Deputy Speaker.
The key issues and pain points
1. Pegasus snooping scandal
While the Opposition kept demanding a debate followed by an investigation into this issue, the government refused to treat it as an issue. The blatant disregard of such a massive national security & data privacy issue by the government further stirred the Opposition.
2. Farm laws
The protests just don’t seem to end. It’s more like the Opposition took a 2 months break on this issue and is back chasing it again. While the government proposed an 18-month suspension on this law a while back, the Opposition still continues to demand a repeal of the laws.
3. Government’s inept handling of the second Covid wave
While surprisingly this issue wasn’t given as much prominence as the others, it was brought up from time to time by the Opposition so as to point to the Systemic Failure in handling the second Covid wave this summer.
A rare moment of conciliation: OBC Bill
The Opposition parties supported the government on the OBC Bill. Yes, it served everyone’s political interests, and the bill was passed.
This time neither did the government care to propose well enough nor did the opposition bother to oppose decently enough. Thus, we saw a classic case of “tu tu mai mai” accompanied by the theatrics of cycles and tractors.
The rational scenario: What would it look like?
It is quite clear that the government can do whatever it wants with the brute majority that it has. However, by not even caring to understand the concerns of the Opposition, it is demeaning a section of the electorate that voted for the Opposition. After all, you don’t just work for those who voted for you, but also for those who didn’t!
At the same time, the Opposition shouldn’t be disrupting the Parliament just because the Government isn’t working as per the Opposition’s demands. At the end of the day, while the Government is obliged to engage in debate & dialogue with the Opposition, the final decision will always lie with the government, who has the majority!
Did you know: Hockey is not the national sport of India
Sports
You've heard that the peacock is India's national bird, Jana Gana Mana is the national anthem, and Hockey is the national sport of India.
But is it really?
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has confirmed that India does not have a national sport. In 2012, a 10-year-old girl Aishwarya Parashar filed an RTI request with the PMO. In response to the RTI, the ministry confirmed that it had not declared any sport or game as India’s national game.
So, why have we always believed that hockey is India's national sport?
Some believe that India's international success in Hockey in the Olympics is one of the reasons why Hockey became synonymous with the national sport of India. For reference, India has won 8 gold medals in the Olympics since 1928!
Which other factors help decide the national sport of a country?
If we look at success, then hockey would be one of the candidates for India's national sport. What other factors and sports are in consideration?
Popularity: Cricket?
Accessibility (cost of equipment etc.): Football?
Cultural relevance: Kabaddi?
What do you think should be India's national sport? Should we even have a national sport in a country with so many different cultures?
Like what you read? Share this article with your friends and follow us on:
Instagram | Medium | LinkedIn