Will some Cromwell throw out these wretches?
By Justice Markandey Katju
The 'democratic' and 'liberal' people and media in India are crying hoarse over the suspension of 142 Members of Parliament in India, calling it a 'murder' of democracy, etc.
A TMC MP has mocked the Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar by mimicking him.
Responding, Dhankhar said this was shameful
This action is nothing unprecedented. Here are some historical examples :
1. The British MP John Wilkes was expelled several times from the House of Commons in the 18th century.
The Indian MPs have only been suspended, not expelled, for their rowdy behaviour. So what are they complaining about ?
2. The Girondins were expelled from the French National Convention on 2nd June 1793, and later guillotined. They had paralysed the Convention, just as the Opposition in India tried to paralyse Parliament.
The 92 Opposition MPs in India have only been suspended, not guillotined.So what are they complaining about ?
3. Of the 139 members of the CPSU Central Committee elected in 1934 in the Soviet Union, 98 ( i.e. 70% ) were arrested and shot after a mock summary trial.
None of the 92 MPs suspended in India have been arrested, far less shot. So what are they complaining about ?
4. During the Emergency in India in 1975-77 most Opposition MPs were jailed, and many fled or went underground.
None of today's MPs are in jail or are underground. So what are they complaining about ?
I submit India needs a Cromwell, not a Parliament, whose members have voted themselves huge salaries, perks and various benefits, and are a big burden on the poor Indian people. 40% of them have criminal backgrounds.
The pity is that only Opposition MPs in India have been thrown out. All MPs should have been packed off, as Cromwell did.
On 20th April 1653 Oliver Cromwell entered the British Parliament with his soldiers and said to the Members assembled there :
"It is high time for me to put an end to your sitting in this place, which you have dishonored by your contempt of all virtue, and defiled by your practice of every vice.
Ye are a factious crew, and enemies to all good government; ye are a pack of mercenary wretches, and would like Esau sell your country for a mess of pottage, and like Judas betray your God for a few pieces of money.
Is there a single virtue now remaining amongst you? Is there one vice you do not possess? Ye have no more religion than my horse; gold is your God; which of you have not barter'd your conscience for bribes? Is there a man amongst you that has the least care for the good of the Commonwealth?
Ye sordid prostitutes, have you not defiled this sacred place, and turned the Lord's temple into a den of thieves, by your immoral principles and wicked practices? Ye are grown intolerably odious to the whole nation; you were deputed here by the people to get grievances redress'd, are yourselves gone!
So! Take away that shining bauble there, and lock up the doors.
You have sat too long for any good you have been doing lately. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go! "
The soldiers then made the MPs get out of the Assembly hall, and locked it up.
I wonder whether some day an Indian Cromwell will do the same.
