Discuss, don''t paralyse Parliament: President

New Delhi, December 8

In a stinging criticism on the Opposition for having brought Parliament to a standstill, President Pranab Mukherjee said on Thursday that disruption amounted to "gagging of majority".

"Disruption is totally unacceptable in Parliamentary system. People send representatives to speak and not to sit on dharna and not to create any trouble on the floor," he said speaking on the subject ‘Electoral reforms for a stronger democracy’ at a lecture organised to mark Defence Estates Day.

A veteran parliamentarian before he became President, Mukherjee said: "Disruption means you are hurt, you are gagging majority.  Majority never participates in this disruption. Only minority comes to the well, shouts slogans, stops the proceedings and creates a situation in which the Chair has no option but to adjourn the House. This is totally unacceptable".

"For demonstration, you can choose any other places. But for God's sake, do your job. You are meant to transact business. You are meant to devote your time for exercising the authority of members, particularly Lok Sabha members over money and finance," he said, although he said his criticism was not meant for a single party or individuals.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

"Fact remains that this (disruption) has become a practice that should not be acceptable at all. Whatever be the differences, we have the opportunity, to speak our mind, to speak freely and no court can interfere in what I say on the floor of the House," he said.

Mukherjee's sharp remarks come as deadlock over the central government’s decision to invalidate 500 and 1000 rupee notes has paralysed Parliament’s functioning. — PTI