'Government must answer, be held accountable': Kiren Rijiju urges opposition not to stall Parliament; ‘disruptions hurt you more’

NEW DELHI: Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju warned the opposition that frequent House disruptions undermine their "own role in democracy" by robbing them of the opportunity to question the government.His remarks came after the first week of the ongoing Monsoon Session, which was largely derailed by repeated protests from opposition MPs, who have been raising alarm over the Election Commission's ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.Noting that "tough questions" don't get raised when the proceedings are disrupted, Rijiju said, "Let me tell you, officers are relieved when Parliament doesn't function because they escape the grilling. The government can be held accountable in Parliament. When the House runs, ministers face tough questions. When it adjourns within minutes, those questions don't even get raised. Opposition loses more than the government when Parliament is disrupted.""Those who stall the House think they are damaging the government, but in truth, they are weakening their own role in a democracy. In any democracy, the government must answer to the people through Parliament. That is why allowing the House to run is essential for a functioning democracy." Rijiju added.He further contrasted the current state of frequent disruptions with the past, when leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK Advani commanded such respect that MPs would "think twice" before speaking."Back then, we would think twice before speaking because stalwarts were listening. Now disruptions begin on day one. Maybe social media has changed the game," PTI quoted him at the Sansad Ratna Awards.The opening week of Parliament’s Monsoon Session was marked by high drama, political clashes with the surprise resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar over "health reasons". Moreover, 16-hour special discussion on Operation Sindoor has been scheduled for July 28 in the Lok Sabha and July 29 in the Rajya Sabha. Rijiju has also confirmed that the impeachment proceedings against Justice Yashwant Varma would begin soon, indicating a potentially explosive Week 2.