The majoritarianism in Parliament hogs all the time but a Member of a minority gets no time. Such is the fate of a minority. – Simranjit Singh Mānn
The Tribune Dated 9th October, 2022
Comments by Simranjit Singh Mann: Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) states that Mr. Gurbhachan Jagat has brought forth a very good topic on Parliament and debates, which he thinks are not what Parliamentarians do, but instead quarrel, surround the Speaker’s podium and not let any debate take place. This is all true.
I as a Member of Parliament from Punjab have a deep respect for the Parliamentary form of Government and I have always said people send us to Parliament to speak and represent our constituency, state and the country. But we face many hurdles once we are inside the Parliament. I think the word Parliament is derived from the French language and it means a talking shop.
Since this country has gone into extremes of Hindutva, it is the majority that holds the grip on Parliament. Mr. Jagat talks of Aristotle and the Greeks. I agree they were good debaters but they were all Greeks and there was no speaker from the non – Greek fold that was included in the debates.
Similarly here in the majoritarian Hindu state we have 543 Members of Parliament. Since the majority carries the day in Parliament, meaning all legislation takes place where the majoritarian make the laws, which like AFSPA ( Armed Forces Special Powers Act.) are unconstitutional but since it is these figures who pass the laws, similarly the Supreme Court is packed with the majoritarian’s. Therefore the Supreme Court does not declare this law ultra vires of the Constitution, though Article 21 states that no person can be deprived of his life and liberty without following the procedure laid down by law.
It is good to give the example of the Greeks but here too the majoritarian have their say.
I feel that the political space for the minorities has decreased tremendously. I attended the full session of the Monsoon Parliament sittings, with no absence. I as a minority Sikh Member was given no time to speak and put up the grievances of the Sikh’s, Punjab and the deteriorating military situation in Ladakh. From the beginning of the Monsoon session to its last day, religiously I use to put in my topic under the head Question Hour. But I was never given any time, as all the time was like in Greece reserved for the majoritarian.
Of course the freedom fighters were great debaters, but they were the majoritarian and the minorities never get that sort of time to show their worth. In the Pakistan Parliament, there too the majoritarian, being Muslims would get all the time to speak.
In the Hindu Indian press the will of the majoritarian prevails. The minorities get no space. Just yesterday (8th October-2020) the Times of India and The Tribune wrote a very hard hitting comment on Sikh politics. One of these papers went to the extent of calling me a radical. Obviously I wrote a riposte but as usual the majoritarian who rule the roost, gave me a snub.
I know if one goes along with the majoritarian one can see ones reply in print, but for a minority to get space is like what the Bible says – it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of needle than a rich man to reach the gates of heaven. But as a Sikh we never give in, fight to the last and that is the fate of a minority and we will strive no matter what the odds.
Simranjit Singh Mānn,
President,
Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar),
Email: [email protected]
website: https://akalidalamritsar.in/
facebook page: @sardarsimranjitsinghmann