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THE telecast of parliamentary proceedings, which started a couple of years ago, was to show live conduct of business in both Houses probably with the aim of projecting the true picture of our reasonably mature system of governance to the masses. However, the public appears to be convinced that the telecast of Question Hour and other business of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha has left our Parliament in poor light. One feels rather ashamed of watching the deplorable fish market scenes in both Houses.

The members indulge in shouting, howling and mud-slinging, and use unparliamentary language.

The Speaker often feels miserable, and repeatedly appeals to the “honourable members” to maintain decorum, propriety and order. The MPs never hesitate to rush into the well of the House shouting slogans.

The MPs are mostly seen speaking just for the heck of it. Their emphasis is more on fault-finding than on constructive and healthy criticism concerning the development of their state.

Why should they not exercise self-restraint and display a sense of discipline? A single member can be nominated in turn by the leader of the Opposition or the concerned political party/group to stand and speak, and thus facilitate the smooth conduct of the proceedings of the House.

Story of moustaches

Mr D.K. Mukerjee’s middle article, “Rise and fall of the moustache” (March 16), was quite interesting.

Man’s face becomes impressive with thick twirled moustaches. As a result of smallpox, Maharaja Ranjit Singh lost his left eye and the beauty of facial features. Yet his long curled up moustaches and flowing beard gave additional grace to his countenance. A Punjabi poet (perhaps Nand Lal Nurpuri) in his poem “Talvaar” has likened the sword to this monarch’s moustache.

“Moonchh” (moustache) finds a mention in many idiomatic expressions. For instance, “Moonchh ka baal” (one very close to), “Moonchh marora roti tora” (A bragging idler), “Moonchhon ko taao dena” (to give oneself airs), “Moonchhein neechi karna” (to accept defeat), “Moonchhon say chingaariyaan nikalna” (to be very angry), etc.

Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India (1899-1905), had thick bushy moustaches. When, for the first time, he kissed his wife, she quipped, “Are you kissing or brushing my face?”. He immediately trimmed his moustaches, the style of which came to be known as “Curzani moonchhien”.

Once Akbar said to his courtiers, “Guess, how would I deal with anybody who tousles my moustaches?” The officials mentioned different punishments. When Birbal’s turn came, he said that the Emperor would treat him affectionately. Unexpectedly, Prince Saleem (Jahangir) showed up and started playing with the moustaches of his father, who also fondled the chap.

BHAGWAN SINGH
Qadian

In many towns of Punjab as elsewhere in the country the administration has started demolishing unauthorised constructions. The excuse is that they have come up on government land, and in several cases they impede traffic.

The removal of such constructions is, no doubt, useful but the question is: why are these allowed to come up in the first place? The administration should have taken action right in the beginning so that enormous funds of the people could be saved. In some cases people had been living there for many years or doing their business to run their household.

It is highly immoral to demolish such constructions. The administration should always be alert to nip the evil in the bud.

The editorial “Missing fear of law” (March 15) focused ample light on the condition of Delhi. Candidly speaking, the graph of heinous crimes like murder, rape, robbery and kidnapping has been rising at an alarming speed in Delhi. One thing is quite explicit that whether it is the air-crash or fire in the jhuggis, eventually the poor miserable people have been struggling for survival in Delhi.

The Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, admitted in the Lok Sabha that “Delhi is already full of criminals”. This statement was meant to mollify the Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal members, but it is going to be proved correct. Nobody feels secure in the Capital today. The scenario at the end looks miserable and horrifying.

The most surprising thing is the manner in which criminals are doing their job. They don’t have even an iota of compassion for people and the fear of law. Indian laws are notoriously antiquated, and habitual criminals know the loopholes — how to subvert the law. The arm of the law is neither long nor strong. That is why the fear of law is missing.

The need of the hour is not only to revamp our system and laws but also to modernise the Delhi police that will create more trepidation in the minds of criminals.

	M A I L B A G	Monday, March 22, 1999
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