Context

The Lok Sabha secretariat recently released a booklet of unparliamentary words that will henceforth be banned and if used, will be expunged, it created an uproar among the opposing parties.

Historical Background

• In the early days of parliamentary functioning in England, members would challenge one another to a duel if they felt dishonoured by another member’s speech.
• It led to the Speaker of the House of Commons removing the offending words from the written proceedings.
• In 1873, the constitutional theorist Erskine May started recording words and expressions that the Speaker considered unparliamentary in an eponymous guide to parliamentary procedure.
•  Later editions of the book laid down the principle of parliamentary language.

Who decides the nature of a word

• MPs have freedom of speech in Parliament.
• But the presiding officers of Parliament have the final authority on what gets recorded in the day’s proceedings.
•  MPs can also draw attention to any unparliamentary words and urge the chair to delete them.
• Any reporting of the parliamentary discussion that includes the deleted portion is a breach of parliamentary privilege and invites the ire of the House.
• Deleted words are then added by the parliament secretariat to its compilation of unparliamentary expressions.
• Why context is important? In any language, the context in which an individual uses a word is critical.
• “Context” means how the word is said, the circumstances in which it is said and when it is said.

Issues with addition of unparliamentary words

• Effectiveness of measure: The first issues about the list is its effectiveness in maintaining decency in parliamentary debates.
• Impact on the debate: The second that that needs to be considered is the effectiveness of such a list help in promoting or stifling discussion.
• Role of technology: Technological advances have ensured that Parliament can no longer control how its proceedings are recorded and disseminated.
• As a result, even if Parliament edits its record, the unparliamentary expression will be available online.
• In such a scenario, a compilation of the words classified as unparliamentary will not deter an MP from using them.

Conclusion

Parliament is all about the cut and thrust of debate. And in a political discussion, a restriction of unparliamentary expression, without considering context, will unnecessarily stifle the voices of MPs.

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