Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla addressed the first-ever National Legislators Conference in Mumbai on Friday, expressing concern over recent incidents of commotion and interruptions in the Houses and emphasizing the importance of maintaining the dignity of democracy. He warned against uproar, sloganeering, and the planned adjournment of the House, which he said diminishes the importance of democracy itself.
During his inaugural address, Birla praised India for being the oldest, largest, and most vibrant democracy in the world. He also noted how democratic institutions have thrived in India for millennia and how parliamentary democracy was a natural progression for Independent India to opt for as its system of governance.
Birla highlighted the role of legislators as being the highest public representative institution and working as role models for others. Being representatives of the people, they should hold the executive accountable to the House and the House to the people. With legislators acting as the crucial link between the citizen and the executive, their responsibility is to convey the issues that affect the public interest, aspirations, and needs of the populace to the executive.
In carrying out these responsibilities, Birla followed by emphasising the need for result-oriented discussions and dialogues in legislatures. He also counselled legislators to solve problems through discussion and dialogue and to ensure that such discussions achieve intended objectives.
Birla further stressed the importance of upholding the virtues of freedom, equality, and justice given by the Constitution in shaping democracy in India. He reminded them of how laws framed in the legislatures form the basis of the people’s rights. Therefore, legislators should work conscientiously for strengthening such laws and ensure transparency in all their actions.
Birla’s address sounded a cautionary note for public representatives to maintain high standards of discipline and decency in their public life to avoid tarnishing their image. He also hoped that the discussions and deliberations during the conference would go a long way in empowering and strengthening the country’s legislative bodies, which have played an instrumental role in India’s momentous journey of 75 years of independence.
