Unsuspecting Indians,some 20 years ago, went to play a cricket series in Pakistan where they were not only welcomed by unruly and partisan audience, they had a blatantly partisan umpire called Shakur Rana to reckon with. Later Shakur Rana became singularly responsible for International Cricket Council to propose a neutral match refree for international Test matches.
His name became synonomous with brazenly partisan decisions. By the end of his career he had already maligned the "Gentlemen's game" by some of the most horrendous decisions ever given in cricket.
It's a miracle that the then Indian cricket team returned without loosing a Test match in that series.
The Indian Parliament today has its own Shakur Rana. His name is Somnath Chatterjee. Such has been the conduct of this mercural bengali, he can even put a Shakur Rana to shame. As a parliamentarian his frequent heckling of the opposite benches was legendary. He was also known to use the most venomous attacks on his opposing sides.
But now as a Speaker conducting the proceeding of the Parliament of the World's biggest democracy, he was expected to stand aside on politics. As a match refree or as a monitor of a class he was expected to stay above petty party politics. But the Comrade has shown his true colours, which is different shades of Red. His "Red" affiliations are starkingly visible even in
his role as a Speaker.
As Swapan Das Gupta put in his column recently in the Daily Pioneer-
"Certainly, Speaker Chatterjee has done nothing to foster the belief that he is economical with his opinions. A great heckler during his distinguished tenure as the leader of the CPI(M) in the Lok Sabha, the Speaker hasn't lost his facility with interjections. What the Leader of the Opposition called the "running commentary" has become a feature of Lok Sabha
proceedings. In the thrust and parry of partisan exchange, the Speaker does not share the conventional belief that it is his job to listen."
Not only has he played mischief inside the house, he has taken liberty with the Indian Judicial system as well which goes far beyond his jurisdiction as a Speaker of Lok Sabha. For example he had no compelling reason to join issues with Supreme Court judgement on governor of Bihar or passing unsolicitated advice on IDMT judgement of Supreme Court.But like the other systems in India's democracy, even the Parliament is a farce.
This whole big drama enacted every few months in Lower House has become a nauseating routine. The Speaker has more than once tried to brow-beat the NDA/BJP members and tried to corner them.
Last week Somnath Chaterjee played the same game with Mamta Banerjee who herself is quit temparamental. His partisan conduct forced her to resign in disgust.
The growing domination of the Left in various areas of the country does not augur well for the country's future. With a leftist speaker at the helm of parliamentary affairs the day to day parliament activities have become meaningless. The media is as usual blaming the opposition for the ruckus and shielding the deeds of Congress and Left and their man on the Chair.
A crushing defeat of the Communists in Bengal, from where they really gain all the false strength and confidence, is the need of the hour. For the sake of India and West Bengal all the parties need to come together and not only expose these Communists but beat them at their own game.
Even if that requires backing Mamta Banerjee who is fighting a lonely battle on the East front.
Not many people know that the combined vote share of all the communist parties in India is barely 6%. Almost quarter of the BJP's share. Its unbelievable though, how much clout these leftists have over the key estates of the country. Whether its media or parliament or judiciary, their say is disproportionate to their popularity in the country.
They have always been master hijackers. They hijacked the education system right from Nehru days. We were made to believe that Akbar and Aurangazeb were great rulers thanks to them. Today our children are being taught that Shivaji Maharaj and Prithviraj Chauhan were no great warriors.
Media has been traditionally on their side and always portrayed the right-wing parties such as BJP and RSS in bad light. RSS today is youth's object of contempt, thanks largely to media (mis) reporting.First Judiciary and now Parliament has been totally pollutted by the leftist hue.
Somnath Chatterjee is from the old school of Left, who are probably the most intolerant ideologes.Mr. Chatterjee has given a bad name to a Speaker's position, a much decorated positon held by greatest of thinkers and statesmen.
Alas, Somnath Chatterjee is only a reflection of the sad polity of Indian Parliament today.If we can have Lalu Prasad Yadav as a Railway Minister and Taslimuddin as a Cabinate Rank minister, why should Somnath Chatterjee be a problem?
1 comment:
I agree with all that you say. I too consider this old haggard to be of extreme nuisance value. But does his being a Bengali have anything to do with it? In fact, Swapan Das Gupta whom you quote in your article is also a Bengali. If you look at all the major acheivers in the field of art, literature, cinema, science, politics, bureaucracy - you name almost any field - you will find a liberal sprinkling of Bengalis. The only Oscar, the only Golden Bear, the first Indian recognised at Cannes, 2 out of 5 Nobels (if you consider Jagadish Bose to be co-inventor of radio with Marconi, as has been accepted by the Royal Society, then 3/6), 8/44 Magasasays, 1/4 Pulitzers have gone to Bengalis. I wonder if the lack of achievers in other linguistic groups is the reason for this acrimony.
I feel that it would be better if you stick to the larger issue than rake up a storm over linguistic groups. My 2 paise worth.
Post a Comment