Former Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal Condemns NDA Government for Muzzling Opposition in Parliament
In a sharp critique of the current parliamentary proceedings, former Union minister and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal has accused the NDA government of systematically preventing the opposition from speaking on crucial matters, a move she describes as contrary to the spirit of a vibrant democracy. Speaking on Monday amid ongoing disruptions in Parliament, Badal expressed deep concern over the stifling of dissent.
Unprecedented Parliamentary Conduct in 17-Year Career
Badal, drawing from her extensive 17-year parliamentary experience, stated that she has never witnessed such a restrictive environment in the House. "The opposition members are not allowed to speak even on the Presidential address," she lamented. She emphasized that both treasury and opposition benches are elected by the people to represent their interests and voice concerns against government policies.
"If you do not allow them to speak, then why are people's money being spent on it?" she questioned, highlighting the financial implications of unproductive sessions. Badal accused the government of wanting the opposition to echo its views or remain silent, while allowing treasury benches unlimited speaking time. "How can you gag the entire opposition? Everybody has the right to raise their points," she asserted, noting that bills are being passed by evicting opposition members.
Urgent Appeal to Government and Speaker
Badal urged the government and the Speaker to address this issue promptly, stressing that democratic norms are being undermined. She clarified, however, that she is not part of the opposition faction calling for a no-confidence motion against the Speaker, leaving that decision to her party.
Concerns Over Indo-US Trade Deal and Farmer Welfare
Shifting focus to economic policies, Badal raised alarms about the Indo-US trade deal, accusing the government of misleading the public. She cited White House claims that India agreed to eliminate tariffs on various agricultural products, including:
- Animal feed
- Wheat, maize, and rice
- Ethanol
- Fresh fruit and nuts
- Apples
This, she warned, could allow genetically modified (GM) goods to enter India, bypassing existing safeguards. "With it, farmers will suffer," Badal stated, pointing out the 80-85% subsidies in the US that Indian farmers cannot compete with, especially without guaranteed Minimum Support Prices (MSP).
"The economy into trillions of dollars is of what use if you snatch the livelihood of half of the population living in rural areas?" she questioned, criticizing the government for allowing such entries that previous administrations had avoided. She called for immediate government action to protect farmers, arguing that punishing farmers hinders national progress.
In summary, Harsimrat Kaur Badal's remarks underscore a dual critique: the erosion of parliamentary democracy and the potential economic harm from trade policies, urging a return to inclusive governance and farmer-centric approaches.
