Dhankhar, who serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, remarked that the public has become accustomed to viewing disorder as the norm within parliamentary proceedings. He stated, "People have learned to take disorder as order. There is no sense of revulsion." He urged citizens to question their representatives' conduct, suggesting that public scrutiny would compel lawmakers to reflect on their roles. "People will force you to think, why did you go there (Parliament)?" he asserted.
The Vice President underscored that a successful democracy relies on responsible expression and dialogue from all parties involved. He stressed the importance of maintaining decorum and engaging in constructive discussions to uphold democratic principles.
Dhankhar's comments come in the wake of a particularly tumultuous winter session of Parliament, which concluded on December 20. The session was marked by significant disruptions, leading to a substantial decline in productivity. Reports indicate that the Lok Sabha functioned for only 57% of its scheduled time, while the Rajya Sabha operated at a mere 43% efficiency.
The Vice President's critique aligns with concerns raised by other parliamentary leaders. On the final day of the session, Rajya Sabha Chairman Dhankhar called for political parties to transcend partisan differences and restore the dignity of parliamentary discourse. Similarly, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla issued a stern warning against improper conduct, emphasizing the need for adherence to parliamentary rules and procedures.
In addition to addressing parliamentary disruptions, Dhankhar highlighted the critical role of agriculture in India's development. Speaking at the awards ceremony, he described agriculture as the backbone of rural development and emphasized that the nation's aspiration to become a developed country by 2047 hinges on the transformation of the rural landscape. He stated, "Unless agriculture develops, the rural landscape cannot be changed. And unless the rural landscape changes, we cannot aspire to have a developed nation."
Dhankhar pointed out that achieving developed nation status would require an eightfold increase in citizens' incomes, acknowledging this as a "daunting challenge." He called for a strengthened village economy and advocated for prioritizing the farming sector to drive economic progress. "The greatest market we have is agricultural produce, yet farming communities are hardly involved with it. The farming sector must be prioritised by governments for it to become an engine of economic development," he added.
The Vice President's remarks have sparked discussions among political analysts and the public regarding the conduct of elected representatives and the effectiveness of parliamentary proceedings. Some experts argue that frequent disruptions undermine the legislative process and erode public trust in democratic institutions. Others contend that such disruptions are sometimes necessary to draw attention to critical issues that may otherwise be overlooked.
In response to Dhankhar's statements, several lawmakers have expressed their views. A member of the opposition, speaking on condition of anonymity, acknowledged the need for introspection among parliamentarians but also emphasized the importance of addressing the underlying causes of disruptions, such as the marginalization of dissenting voices. Meanwhile, a ruling party representative defended the government's commitment to parliamentary decorum and called for collaborative efforts to enhance productivity.
The Vice President's call for accountability comes at a time when public scrutiny of parliamentary proceedings is intensifying. Citizens and civil society organizations are increasingly demanding transparency and efficiency from their elected representatives. Dhankhar's emphasis on responsible dialogue and expression underscores the need for a collective commitment to upholding democratic values and ensuring that Parliament functions as an effective forum for addressing the nation's challenges.