By N. Nagarajan
Watching the conduct of our Members of Parliament, MLAs, and other public representatives—both inside and outside legislative houses—often leaves one hanging one’s head in shame. The ongoing Winter Session of Parliament has been no exception. Parliamentary debate, once known for dignity and reasoned disagreement, is increasingly reduced to disruptions, slogan-shouting, and personal barbs. When the Prime Minister recently appealed to the Opposition to stop theatrics and focus on substantive issues, the response was not introspection but counter-allegations marked by poor taste and even poorer language.
This decline is not confined to any single party. It reflects a deeper erosion of basic etiquettes, manners, and civic sense across the political spectrum. Edmund Burke famously observed, “Good order is the foundation of all good things.” Sadly, disorder now seems normalised—and even rewarded—in public life. The absence of restraint in Parliament sends a damaging message to citizens about what is considered acceptable behaviour in a democracy.
More worrying is the way this culture steadily seeps into society at large. Whether in residents’ associations, welfare groups, or online forums, hypocrisy and selective enforcement of rules have become commonplace. Codes of conduct are framed but rarely followed. Influential voices are applauded for irrelevant self-promotion, while similar actions by others are discouraged or censored. Such double standards closely mirror the very political culture many claim to oppose.
The conduct of senior leaders deserves particular scrutiny, because symbolism matters in public life. Rahul Gandhi, as a prominent national figure, has on several occasions displayed behaviour that raises serious questions about decorum. From making a wink in Parliament—widely perceived as juvenile—to casual postures during solemn occasions such as paying tribute to martyrs, his body language has often appeared dismissive of institutional dignity. Walking with hands in pockets or displaying apparent indifference at formal moments sends a poor message. Public leaders must remember that their gestures speak as loudly as their words.
Leadership is not merely about policies; it is also about example. Mahatma Gandhi reminded us, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Civic sense cannot flourish when public conduct becomes clownish and accountability optional. If Parliament itself turns into a spectacle, how can we expect citizens to value discipline, respect, and decorum? Restoring dignity to public life is not a luxury—it is essential to the health of our democracy.
