The "cycle of interruptions" in Parliament will continue endlessly if lawmakers justify disruptions by citing the conduct of other parties in the past, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has said in an emotional letter to parliamentarians ahead of the Monsoon session next week.
Reminding lawmakers of their "moral responsibility", Ms Mahajan urged them to ensure smooth functioning of the House and said "time has come for us to introspect and decide what is the way forward and ideal image for our Parliament and democracy".
The task of protecting and keeping intact the prestige and sanctity of Parliament, the "sacred temple of democracy", is a collective responsibility, she said in the two-page letter.
It was a privilege being a member of the "august House", she added, and told lawmakers that people had great expectations from them and had reposed their faith in them.
Discussing frequent adjournments in the last sessions due to members coming to the well of the house -- shouting slogans and showing placards -- Ms Mahajan said divergence of opinion and dissent should be within the parameters and norms of Parliamentary dignity so that people may continue to have abiding faith in democracy and democratic institutions.
"Can we justify our own conduct by advancing the argument of improper conduct and interruption of the business of the House by other parties in the past?" she added.
According to her, lawmakers must also keep in mind that their conduct in Parliament and the quality of debate and discussion have a profound impact on the views and opinions of the youth regarding democracy.
The speaker said she is hopeful that political battles will be fought in the constituencies, but lawmakers will discharge their democratic responsibilities in the house.
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