Atmospheric
pollution has crippled the capital city.
Smog early in morning keeps the sun at bay, increasing the chill in the
air- the air is full of smoke and dust unhealthy and unhygienic for human consumption.
It will have a heavy toll on us physically. The only challenge to air-pollution
is being posed, not by any other mechanical factors but, by the politicians in
the capital city who have crossed all limits of decency causing much more
pollution politically, than that exist in atmosphere. The AAP, the Congress and
the BJP seems to be in a race to reach the nadir of political decency hurling
choicest abuses on each other while people look in dismay. Their verbal
fisticuffs are polluting the intellectuality of Indian masses. Though regarded
the “representative of the citizens of India” , the manner these leaders have projected
themselves in Parliament and Assembly in recent times, I as a citizen of India would
like to declare they do not represent me. The behavior of these
leaders in Parliament and Assembly is not representative of the people of India
and is not a reflection of the character of a common Indian citizen. I do not subscribe
to such mud-slinging and use of abusive language on compatriot. On 25th
December these leaders along with the nation will celebrate the birthday of one
of its greatest Parliamentarian Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee. These leaders, irrespective
of their political affiliation, will vow to emulate this veteran
parliamentarian only to forget it the next day.
I
now narrate the following anecdote which should help one understand the manner how hallowed institutions like the Parliament functioned in the fifties- with
grace, sincerity, sense of purpose and humbleness that could have come only from
personalities like Mr. J. L. Nehru, the then P.M, Mr. Meghnad Saha, eminent scientist,
Mr. G. V. Mavalankar, the then Speaker Lok Sabha, and eminent opposition leaders like Shyama Prasad Mukherjii, Ram Manohar Lohia and others who are central
character to this episode.
The great Ganesh Vasudev Mavlankar was the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Nehru was on the treasury bench. From the Opposition, they heard stalwarts participating in the debates in which outstanding parliamentarians and orators like Hiren Mukherjee, Ashok Mehta, S.A. Dange, Syama Prasad Mukherjee and Ram Manohar Lohia took part. One member rose and said: “If the Government of India is able to provide Rs. 4 crores of grants to any organization or any university, other than mine, without expecting anything and leaving no stone unturned, I will be able to develop our country in nuclear science/atomic energy. The amount is required to purchase cyclotron and not for organizational set-up or maintenance. He was none other than Meghanath Saha. Nehru rose and said furiously: “A country that gained independence through non-violence will not tolerate such foolish ideas.” There was silence, and none responded.
Immediately afterwards, Nehru read a letter from the UNO, requesting deputation of Meghanath Saha to lead an Indian delegation in the preparation of a World Panchangam. He announced his support to the resolution. The Speaker, with a smile, asked: “Where is the hon'ble member?” Few had observed the ‘walkout' by Saha.
Nehru promised the Speaker that he would secure the presence and consent of the member within half-an-hour and requested the Speaker to proceed with the next subject on the agenda.
Within a few minutes, both Nehru and Saha together entered the Parliament Hall. Saha said: “It is unbecoming, if a ‘fool' represents this great country in the UNO.” Nehru rose and said: “I did not call him ‘fool'; but his idea is ‘foolish.' According to May's Parliamentary Procedure, ‘Fool' is un-parliamentary, and not ‘foolish.' In case, out of emotion, if a fool like me had uttered such words, is it fair on the part of a great personality like Saha to take it so seriously?” asked Nehru.
A smiling Mavalankar said: “This is a request from the Chair.” Saha got up and said “Obediently follow your order.”
I wonder whether we will be able to witness the repetition of such an episode in the history of our parliamentary democracy. Are we so fortunate? Certainly not. We do not belong to that age and we do not have that greatness innate in us. Critics of Nehru or Vajpayee, who find a sadistic pleasure in character assassination of leaders of yore rather than analyzing their policies, must delve deep into these leaders before opening their mouth. They only add to the already polluted environment.
