By Harihar Swarup
Disruption of Parliament is bad but if the government does not heed to a reasonable demand of the opposition, more so when the opposition is united, disruption follows. The BJP followed the same tactics when it was in opposition forcing disruption session after session. On few occasions the entire session was washed out. Now that the BJP is the ruling party it is facing the heat. Take the remarks of Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti – Ramzaadon versus haramzaadon – which led to repeated adjournments of Parliament. Her remarks alludes that religious minorities are illegitimate children. Sadhvi holds an important position; she is MOS in Modi Government, holding the portfolio of Food Processing Industry and not merely an MP or RSS activist. Indeed, her remarks were communal, provocative, and quite out of line for a person holding public office. She should have been dropped right away by Prime Minister Narendra Modi so that other members of the BJP desist from using such language.
However, bowing to pressure from opposition for her resignation, Sadhvi offered a weak apology and that too under duress after the PM advised BJP MPs not to lose their demeanor and to exercise caution while making public statements. The withdrawal of disparaging remarks, alongside the apology and expression of regret, did not save the BJP from embarrassment as opposition parties were united in their protest, demanding the resignation of the minister.
From the context of Sadhvi’s speech, it was evident, the remarks were made neither casually nor in the heat of moment during the electioneering . Niranjan Jyoti, who was inducted into the Council of Ministers in last month’s expansion, seemed blissfully unaware of the responsibilities and expectations that come with high public office. Evidently, she knew her mind just as well as she knew her audience when she indulged in communal rhetoric.
Niranjan Jyoti is not the only minister in the Council of Ministers who has communal background, known to be making hate speeches. Giriraj Singh-another BJP leader who had indulged in hate speeches-was made a Union minister in the last cabinet expansion. He had been banned by the Election Commission from campaigning in Bihar and Jharkhand after his provocative speeches. Sanjeev Baliyan is another newly inducted minister who is a riot accused from Muzaffarnagar. To send the message that his government represents all sections of the people, the Prime Minister should desist from taking in his ministry persons like Niranjan Jyoti, Giriraj Singh and Baliyan. If it is prerogative of the Prime Minister to choose his ministerial colleagues, it is also his responsibility to ensure adhering to the first principle of good governance, namely, accountability.
In a bid to cool the frayed tempers, the Prime Minister strongly disapproved the minister’s remarks, appealed to the opposition to accept her apology and allow the Parliament to function. But the opposition was not impressed, rejected the PM’s appeal and declined to accept any other solution than Sadhvi’s resignation. The deadlock continues when Parliament adjournment for week end on Friday to meet on Monday. A last ditch attempt was made by opposition to break the impasse but it did not work. The combined opposition proposed that government should accept “a resolution, condemning the attempt to outrage the Constitution by making inflammatory speeches aimed at dividing the syncretic, socio-cultural mosaic of our country’s rich diversity”.
The government rejected the proposed resolution, following which the leaders of opposition parties issued a joint statement saying “despite the responsibility and cooperation extended by the entire opposition in Rajya Sabha, the government continues to remain obdurate and highly reasonable. This unfortunately leaves us with no option but to continue with our protest”.
Government has lined up heavy legislative business for the winter session. It includes such important legislations as Insurance Bill, Coal Mines (Special Provision) Bill, Payment and Settlement Bill and debate on MGNREGA. One wonders if the Logjam in Rajya Sabha continues, can these legislations be passed?
Sadhvi addressed about 60 meetings during her parliamentary election, campaigning in Fatehpur (UP). Even then during her speeches she didn’t forget to call upon the voters to decide whether they needed a government of Ramzadas or of Haramzadas. As per habit, she used the same derogatory language when she became a minister and landed in trouble, which may cost her ministerial berth.
Niranjan Jyoti had perfected the art of vitriolic public speaking during the fiery eighties when the Ram Temple issue changed the course of Indian politics. Success came slow to Jyoti, who was youngest but spewed venom in her speeches and was known for polarizing the crowd in a jiffy. She lost two Assembly elections in UP before getting elected from Hamirpur, her home town. The BJP saw great potential in her and fielded her in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from adjoining Fatehpur, which she won comfortably. Out of about 60 public meetings she addressed during her campaign, she did not forget to tell voters to decide whether they need a government of Ramzadas or Haramzadas. She also declared she didn’t need any Muslim vote and would pass abusive comments against those opposed to Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Born in Mallah (boatmen’s) family in Hamirpur, she used to go fishing as a child. While still in school, she was noticed by Swami Achytanand, a local Sadhu, when she recited Ramayan in a religious congregation. He invited her to take diksha. However, she was unsure about her future plans and sought time. After completing her intermediate, she approached him and became his disciple. As the luck could have it Jyoti is now a union minister and in the midst of a political storm following, perhaps, instinctively using those derogatory words. Prime Minister Modi may find difficult to retain her in his government. (IPA Service)