The Partisan Burden of Legislative Umpires

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi called India the Mother of Democracy, he wasn't kidding.

- Ravi Shankar

The Brits got their Parliament only in 1707. Ancient India was far ahead; the Harappan civilisation had a democratic system 4,500 years ago. The Vedic period, too—Sabha and Samiti. But when Modi promised to rule by consensus, he could have been kidding. With two big allies as shadows, Modi owns Parliament, which is also the fiefdom of the Speaker and RS Chairman. The self-destructive Opposition has colluded to impeach Jagdeep Dhankhar as Rajya Sabha Chairman: a first in Indian parliamentary history. The Opposition also knows the no-confidence motion will fail, since the NDA enjoys a majority in the Rajya Sabha, with the support of six nominated MPs. If by a miracle, it goes to the Lok Sabha for the nod, its survival chance is that of a chicken in a tandoor. However, the Opposition worthies are simply making a point: 'Dhankhar is a partisan agent of the government'.