Murtaza Ahmed Alig
Right to speech and expression is not only a right but a fundamental right provided by the Indian constitution. This right is Justiceable and most valuable provision mention in the constitution by the Chairman of drafting committee and father of Indian constitution Dr BR Ambedkar.
In 2008 Indian parliament passed right to information act. Which provide every Indian to get any official as well as non official information from any Public offices and civil servant. This tradition of reeking information has been already existing in European Democratic countries.
While in India before passing the RTI Act many provisions and tradition we seen from the decades. For example freedom of press, where print as well as electronic media is free to trace out and express any type of evil and misfortunes in society. freedom of press is no doubt a pillar of democracy. The tradition of question answering is not out of the legal procedure of Indian parliament. The first hour of every parliamentary sitting is slotted for this. During this time, the members ask questions and the ministers usually give answers. The questions are of three kinds namely starred, unstirred and short notice. A concerned minister is bound to answer, honesty and confidently within 14 days. There is also a provision of supplementary questions when a member who asked the question is not satisfied. If a minister provide wrong information in his/ her answer is liable to be hauled up for breach of privilege.
Now a day’s question answering and debate process between the two candidats of
presidential election in USA is the live example for the leaders of third world countries like India, who belief on liberalism and democracy.
Question-Answering method is not unknown in other aspects of life. A teaching is not fruitful until teachers involve their students in teaching-Learning process and solve their problems as per the requirement of pupils. This is democratic culture.
No official can work unilaterally without the debate and queries from subordinates, collegues, or public. Queries bring efficiency in work culture.
Democracy, which is considered as the most appropriate form of government derive its organ from the Greek city states.The tradition of questioning the authorities and intellectuals was common in Greek city states. During the period of Socrates and Plato, an Egyptians priest visited to Greek. He seen people quarry for everythin then he defined” you Greek people are always boys, There is no young man among you”. It means Greek people seek practicability and authenticity of every fact.
From Independence to till date Indian democracy has been becoming strong due to different new provisions like establishment of local self government, upliftment of weaker and downtrodden people , welfare state and now right to education and right to information etc. law of lokpal is also under consideration and in developing stage.
But from last two years Indian democracy is going on back foot. After violence and conspiracy against the minority our ministers and governmental responsible person now target the media and information sector. Government’s one day ban on NDTV is an anti- Democratic action. In the other side Modi’s Cabinet Minister comments on the questioning tradition.mos of them irritate with media persons.
Recently Kiren Rijju, MoS for Home Affairs said “asking question is not good culture”.
Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Venkaiah Naidu is a senior and most experienced leader said “Asking Question is a cheap polities”.
These type of legislators expect from public not to ask question and they belief if you question your anti- national. This type of attitude towards media and question answering tradition is not only bad for Indian secularism (known as positive secularism) but also a threat to Indian democracy. Asking question no-doubt is a spirit of democracy which brings purity and transparency in democratic society.
Our prime Minister slogan” Man ke baat” will be practiced only when media will be absolutely free to express and question. “Ache Din” will come only when every Indian treat as the first class citizens of this country. Prime Minister should personally took steps and ensure the security and freedom of press.
(The writer can be reached at Mail.Murtazaalig88@gmail.com)