DEBATE has never been an anathema in democracy. In fact, in a pluralistic system, debate is a welcome mechanism to resolve complex issues. But when somebody seeks debate as a propaganda mechanism, then it is necessary to make up the mind if such a debate is really to be undertaken. The reference here is, of course, is to the challenge of a public debate Congress leader Mr. Rahul Gandhi had hurled at Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi -- and the readiness Home Minister Mr. Amit Shah has shown to have the debate. At least so far, the whole affairs appears to be churlish and political rather than serious. The onus of this churlishness, of course, is on Mr. Rahul Gandhi who appeared non-serious when he hurled the so-called challenge at the Prime Minister.

 

If he is really serious, then the debate must take place -- but on the floor of the Parliament (Lok Sabha) where both, Mr. Gandhi and Mr. Modi are Members. Unfortunately, Mr. Gandhi does not want a serious parliamentary mechanism to operate. He wants a public show -- which the Prime Minister must ignore. For, it is important to maintain the sanctity of debate in a democratic discourse. It is perfectly all right for Mr. Amit Shah to respond to Mr. Gandhi’s challenge. But we must warn that the debate Mr. Gandhi is seeking is a non-serious business in whose trap the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or the Modi Government must not get caught.

 

They should agree for a debate only on the floor of the House which is a designated place for all such debates and discussions. The purpose of Mr. Gandhi’s invitation for a debate is clear -- he wants to engage the Modi Government in this or that churlish activity and corner headlines. Until the next wave of legislative elections takes place in a few months, Mr. Rahul Gandhi will continue with such activities. For, when he was hurling the challenge for a debate, Mr. Gandhi’s method and manner and choice of words were only provocative in nature, and did not adhere to the simple norms of a democratic dialogue. Such as an engagement the Modi Government must not -- need not -- entertain at all. Experience shows us that even in Parliament, Mr. Gandhi has never been serious about the statements he makes. He has even made unsubstantiated allegations that his microphone is often switched off when he speaks on the floor of the House. All of a sudden, he rises in the Lok Sabha to assert that India is not a nation but only a Union Of States. He encourages his members to keep disturbing the speeches of the Prime Minister on serious issues.

 

All this tells a cumulative story of the non-seriousness of Mr. Rahul Gandhi even in Parliament. When a person has harboured such habits inside and outside the Parliament, how can he be expected to have a serious, sensible debate with a man of the stature of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi ? Yet, the debate must take place only on the floor of the Lok Sabha -- and not in public as suggested by Mr. Rahul Gandhi. Parliament is the highest democratic forum of the country where countless debates have taken place within the framework of decency, dignity, decorum and discipline. The debate suggested by Mr. Rahul Gandhi, too, should take place in that frame and not outside it. We will urge Mr. Rahul Gandhi, too, to prepare seriously for a debate on issues of his choice -- as per the permission from the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. May that debate take place between Mr. Gandhi and his choicest associates on one side and the choicest representatives of the Government on the other side. May both sides abide by the rules and regulations as per the tradition of Parliament. But for this to happen, Mr. Rahul Gandhi and the Opposition will have to be serious and sensible and responsible. In the past one decade, the Opposition’s track record of parliamentary conduct has been dismal. Let the Opposition in general and Mr. Rahul Gandhi in particular promise themselves to be serious and engage in a discussion or debate that would produce sensible outcome.