Kurien appeals to members to raise standard of discussion

Retiring Rajya Sabha member and Deputy Chairman P J Kurien today appealed to the government and the Opposition to find a solution to the logjam in Parliament and raise the standard of discussion.

Both Treasury and Opposition members are equally responsible for the current stalemate and each MP should introspect, he said in his farewell speech.

Parliament has been witnessing continuous disruptions since March 5 on various issues like the PNB banking scam and Cauvery water management board.

"Every MP is equally responsible. My only appeal is rack your brains and come to a solution to see that the level of Parliament/Rajya Sabha does not deteriorate," he said echoing concerns expressed by Chairman Venkaiah Naidu on the stalemate in Parliament.

Kurien recalled that the biggest form of protest in the 1980s used to be "walking out of the House" but now members "walk into the Well".

Ministers then were grilled with such piercing questions that they bled but now "ministers are happy as slogan shouting is there. They must introspect".

Both the government and Opposition should be "more responsible" to ensure that the "standard of discussion" in Parliament is raised, he said.

Quoting William Shakespeare's famous lines "As flies to wanton boys, are we to the gods; they kill us for their sport", Kurien gave a parody, "As flies to wanton boys are MPs to Parliament; they kill democracy for polity."
Kurien said he received good support from every member in the House and recalled how Leader of the House Arun Jaitley and Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad spoke in the "most dignified manner and never hit below the belt."
"As chair, sometimes I may be harsh also. If I have hurt, I ask you pardon. Nothing is done deliberately."