In a democratically functioning government, the centrality of citizens is undisputed. The elected members of the parliament are the representatives of the people. The recent spate of suspensions handed over to the opposition MPs is equivalent to killing the citizens. In a constituency, an MP is elected by the voters. The MP is accountable to each elector since they are their voice and presence in the parliament. If one fails in the duty, the voters have the right to question them. 

Peeking at the happenings in parliament in the last few years, especially during this winter session where alarmingly 146 MPs were suspended from the rest of the season, should send sirens blaring. These belonged to about 20 states, representing about 34 crore voters spread out over the length and breadth of the Indian Union. Seeing the parliament's chairman suspending individuals and groups was comical. 

The chairman may punish them for indiscipline, even seriously, but it is totally inappropriate to suspend them. It is a grave offence against the people of India that their representatives have been ejected unceremoniously like some MNC employees. It is within the realms of Democracy to question such corrupt measures. Monopolization of power goes against the dynamic charism of a democratic government.

A complaint was raised against a minister mimicking the vice president. What about the sarcastic and cynical comments of top leaders in the College of Ministers? Mimicry is a kind of art by which a message is conveyed humorously in a tense mood, like in a parliamentary session. It is wretched to complain of mimicry and sarcasm. 

Rather, a government without opposition is a mockery of Democracy! A democracy where the opposition is silenced is no democracy at all. If suspending 146 elected MPs, muting voters, and destroying their legal rights is not killing Democracy, then what is? Bulldozing through bills unopposed and without discussion is the biggest mockery, an epitome of foolishness and downright illegal! In well-conducted parliamentary sessions, a healthy debate highlights obscure aspects of the matter which may have far-reaching consequences. We must declare with great sorrow that the parliament is dead!

We often boast of India as the largest Democracy in the world. We then present the basest kind of mimicry before the world, ridiculing the nation's people. When there is no space for discussion, Democracy turns into an autocracy. As the central government takes turns into avenues long abandoned by modern society, the structures of Democracy are bound to collapse and vanish, and a feudal form of government is bound to be formed.