The Rajya Sabha rushed through the Dam Safety Bill 2019 with amendments on December 2 without proper discussion using brute majority of BJP that has become the norm.The Opposition members reportedly came wearing black bands due to suspension of members who were agitating outside under the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, and MPs present demanded the Bill be referred to a select committee.There was the usual ruckus in the House, adjournment and then call for division of vote demanded which was also denied! The Bill was passed by a voice vote.
A comparative analysis of parliamentary conduct with the Nehru government, even by the Vajpayee government, for passing of Bills since 1947, of number of hours spent in discussion in subsequent sessions, how many times bills have been referred to a select committee, etc, starkly reveal the huge contrast in attitude and behaviour of today's ruling party and members. The deterioration in democratic norms is shockingly exposed where so many Bills are passed without discussion! Majority government does not mean bulldozing Bills which become laws that are flawed. This is constitutionally unethical and unacceptable in a civilized nation!
