Parliamentary impasse

It is everybody’s wish that Parliament should function effectively, and that every political party would cooperate in this (“

>Let Parliament function, Modi tells Opposition ,” Dec.5). Parties that constitute the Opposition appear to have cultivated the practice of disrupting Parliament irrespective of the seriousness of the subject under discussion. Now it appears to be the UPA’s turn to do exactly what the NDA did to it. Why should chaos continue to reign in Parliament? Aren’t there more civilised and intelligent ways to register one’s protest?

Thirumeni J.,

Tiruchi

The Minister in the eye of the storm, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, has already apologised for her remarks. Although it would have been the right thing to have her dropped from the Council of Ministers, we can let that pass; it is the prerogative of the Prime Minister to do so. The Opposition appears to be interested in keeping the issue alive by not letting the House function. Why should Question Hour and the valuable time of the legislature be sacrificed every time an MP “misbehaves”? Do we elect our MPs in order that they can forever run to the well of the House and cripple proceedings? MPs, please let Parliament function.

K.B. Dessai,

Margao, Goa

Sanyasis and sanyasinis who are supposed to be involved in penance suddenly find themselves to be Ministers and are then allowed to speak freely. The request by some in the BJP to condone the Sadhvi’s unwarranted remarks confirms the widespread impression that she is incapable of functioning as a Minister. If the Prime Minister is unable to control such Ministers, the day is not far when the government finds itself in trouble.

Tharcius S. Fernando,

Chennai