Monsoon Session a celebration of victory, says PM; Op Sindoor hit 100% targets
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Time of India
20 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Government must answer, be held accountable': Kiren Rijiju urges opposition not to stall Parliament; ‘disruptions hurt you more'
NEW DELHI: Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju warned the opposition that frequent House disruptions undermine their "own role in democracy" by robbing them of the opportunity to question the government. His remarks came after the first week of the ongoing Monsoon Session, which was largely derailed by repeated protests from opposition MPs, who have been raising alarm over the Election Commission's ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. Noting that "tough questions" don't get raised when the proceedings are disrupted, Rijiju said, "Let me tell you, officers are relieved when Parliament doesn't function because they escape the grilling. The government can be held accountable in Parliament. When the House runs, ministers face tough questions. When it adjourns within minutes, those questions don't even get raised. Opposition loses more than the government when Parliament is disrupted. " "Those who stall the House think they are damaging the government, but in truth, they are weakening their own role in a democracy. In any democracy, the government must answer to the people through Parliament. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pirates Climb Aboard Cargo Ship - Watch What The Captain Did Next Tips and Tricks Undo That is why allowing the House to run is essential for a functioning democracy." Rijiju added. He further contrasted the current state of frequent disruptions with the past, when leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK Advani commanded such respect that MPs would "think twice" before speaking. "Back then, we would think twice before speaking because stalwarts were listening. Now disruptions begin on day one. Maybe social media has changed the game," PTI quoted him at the Sansad Ratna Awards. The opening week of Parliament's Monsoon Session was marked by high drama, political clashes with the surprise resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar over "health reasons". Moreover, 16-hour special discussion on Operation Sindoor has been scheduled for July 28 in the Lok Sabha and July 29 in the Rajya Sabha. Rijiju has also confirmed that the impeachment proceedings against Justice Yashwant Varma would begin soon, indicating a potentially explosive Week 2.
Deccan Herald
33 minutes ago
- Deccan Herald
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The Hindu
33 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Frequent disruptions in Parliament harm Opposition more than government: Kiren Rijiju
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday (July 26, 2025) said that frequent disruptions in the House hurt the Opposition more, as they lose the crucial opportunity to hold the government accountable. The remarks came after the first week of the ongoing monsoon session was largely washed out due to repeated protests by Opposition MPs. Speaking at the Sansad Ratna Awards event organised by Prime Point Foundation, Mr. Rijiju recalled how bureaucrats sometimes express relief when Parliament is adjourned. "Let me tell you, officers are relieved when Parliament doesn't function because they escape the grilling. The government can be held accountable in Parliament. When the House runs, ministers face tough questions. When it adjourns within minutes, those questions don't even get raised. Opposition loses more than the government when Parliament is disrupted," he said. Also Read | Lok Sabha adjourned for the day amid uproar as Opposition demands discussion on Operation Sindoor "Those who stall the House think they are damaging the government, but in truth, they are weakening their own role in a democracy," Mr. Rijiju added. Reinforcing the importance of parliamentary accountability, the minister said, "In any democracy, the government must answer to the people through Parliament. That is why allowing the House to run is essential for a functioning democracy." Reflecting on his journey in Parliament, Mr. Rijiju said he never considered Opposition MPs as adversaries. "We are all colleagues. Before 2014, most of my parliamentary career has been on the Opposition benches. Political rivalries may exist, but there is no enmity," he said. Drawing from a quote by Winston Churchill, Mr. Rijiju said, "A new MP once asked Churchill about the people sitting across the aisle, and he said they were political opponents. But when asked about those sitting on his side, he said they were our political enemies. That is politics, but we are not enemies." Mr. Rijiju also said there is an undue burden on Indian legislators compared to their counterparts in developed countries. "There, one MP represents approximately 66,000 people. Here, it is over 20 lakh. They are not asked to fix drains or get someone out of jail. But our MPs deal with personal grievances, infrastructure and law enforcement issues and are still expected to perform in the House," he said. "Despite all this, they are often criticised. Every elected MP deserves respect, it is not an easy job." Recalling his own early experiences, Mr. Rijiju shared a humorous but telling anecdote. "The first time I met Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, I had gone to request a room for MPs who smoke. He scolded me, saying, 'This is your first meeting with the Speaker and this is what you've come for?' I got a good scolding that day and learned I should approach such offices with more purpose." He also reflected on how senior leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L.K. Advani set examples of decorum. "Back then, we would think twice before speaking because stalwarts were listening. Now disruptions begin on day one. Maybe social media has changed the game." Calling for more constructive media reporting, Mr. Rijiju said, "Earlier, journalists would arrive at 9 a.m. and cover parliamentary debates till night. Good speeches got coverage. Today, headlines go to who created the most ruckus. I remember Sharad Pawar once presented an excellent agriculture policy, but the next day, not a single paper mentioned it. So now, MPs chase headlines because good work is neither reported nor recognised." "Negative news drives TRPs, not constructive action. It is a vicious cycle — both the MPs and the media are trapped in it," he said. Rijiju congratulated all the recipients of this year's Sansad Ratna Awards, including Supriya Sule, Bhartruhari Mahtab, N K Premachandran, and Shrirang Appa Barne, who received special jury awards for consistent performance in the 16th, 17th, and the current Lok Sabha. "Whenever any parliamentarian is recognised for good work, we should all celebrate together, cutting across party lines," Rijiju said. National Commission for Backward Classes Chairperson Hansraj Gangaram Ahir took a swipe at the Opposition, saying, "Those who claim to be followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar bring disrepute to the country by speaking against it abroad".
