Parliament debates have been reduced to quarrels: Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar

New Delhi, January 28

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar voiced concerns about the deteriorating state of discipline and decorum in legislatures, stressing the gravity of this decline is rendering legislatures irrelevant.

Dhankhar urged legislators to uphold the “four Ds — dialogue, debate, decorum and deliberations”, while steering clear of the “2 Ds — disturbance and disruption,” in order to let democracy flourish.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the 84th All-India Presiding Officers’ Conference in Mumbai, the Vice-President expressed disappointment over the rising instances of indiscipline and unbecoming behaviour in legislatures. He highlighted that the erosion of public trust in representative bodies was alarming and demanded the immediate attention of the political class. Dhankhar emphasised that debates have regrettably devolved into quarrels, creating an extremely disturbing situation that necessitates introspection from all stakeholders.

“Disruption in legislatures is cancerous not only for legislatures but also for democracy and society. Curbing it is not optional but absolute necessity to save sanctity of legislature,” he added.