On Thursday, political rivalry between the ruling NDA front and the opposition reached its peak, spilling over into physical altercations in the Parliament courtyard. The scene, involving everyone from senior statesmen to young MPs, was one that would put even street brawls to shame. Several individuals sustained injuries and required hospitalization. Delving into the reasons behind the shouting and scuffles only highlights the absurdity of the situation. As the winter session of Parliament concluded yesterday, one cannot help but wonder: what was the point of calling this session? Did it achieve anything meaningful? Each day seemed to follow the same pattern: an irrelevant topic with no real impact on the public would be introduced, sparking chaos and disruptions. The uproar would then escalate until the presiding officers had no choice but to adjourn the session. Wasn't this the story of the entire session?
There have been numerous instances in the past where entire sessions have been completely wasted in turbulent atmospheres. Hence, the opposition’s protest strategies and the government’s way of countering them are not new. Reports about the staggering crores of rupees drained from the public exchequer for a single day’s session often resurface in such contexts. But who cares? Thursday’s chaos erupted over a remark made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, linking the architect of the Constitution, BR Ambedkar. It was a comment that someone in such a position should never have made. The truth is that a thrown stone and spoken words can never be taken back.
Amit Shah could have easily defused the situation by expressing regret. Not only did he refrain from doing so, but he also stood firm on his words. This escalated the situation to an unprecedented level, turning the Parliament premises into a battlefield. For the Congress, which had struggled to make an impact on various issues, Amit Shah inadvertently handed them a powerful opportunity. The nation witnessed how effectively they capitalized on it on both Thursday and Friday. Meanwhile, numerous pressing issues are waiting to be addressed in the country — inflation, unemployment, problems faced by students, and so on. There are also urgent legislative measures requiring immediate attention. Yet, instead of focusing on these critical matters, both the opposition and the ruling party seemed more interested in raising political issues, continuing their habitual practice of wasting Parliament’s precious time.
The only notable achievement was the introduction of the One Nation, One Election Bill and its referral to a select committee. Passing the bill, however, is not going to be easy as the NDA does not have a two-thirds majority. Next up is the Budget Session, and it is likely that similar performances will be repeated then as well. It seems the Congress is still haunted by the frustration of being out of power. They must remember that power cannot be seized through such disruptive tactics, as such an approach lacks relevance.