Private Member Bills and Ram Temple Promises from BJP Legislators

As the 2019 general elections are approaching, ruling party has accelerated its religion based campaigning. Latest example is the issue of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. In four years, the ruling party had all opportunities to build a narrative based on development. Instead, they are imposing religious propaganda. Aam Aadmi Party has set a prime example in the direction of proposing an agenda built on progress and social upliftment. Delhi government invested significantly in the sectors of education, health and infrastructure in the past 3.5 years. As such, their election campaigns in other states mostly focuses on AAP’s accomplishments till date. Whether they win or not, is a different issue to be discussed. 

It looks like  BJP is pushing it really hard with Shiv Sena leaders landing in Ayodhya, UP CM (as star campaigner) talking about Ram Temple in Telangana, Ram Temple Rath Yatra in Delhi, TV debates, WhatsApp messages and other social media campaigns. If the issue of Ram Temple was real and important, ruling party would have found a solution in 4 years. Ram Temple issue will be discussed during election and be forgotten after the elections are over. In the process, voters who voted based on the pseudo agenda will be left feeling cheated. 

To provide a serious perspective to the Ram Temple agenda, three BJP MP/MLAs came forward to bring a Private Member Bill on the issue. These members are: 

1. Manoj Tiwari, MP (Loksabha) 
2. Rakesh Sinha, MP (Rajyasabha) 
3. Pralhad Joshi, MLA (Karnataka) 

With a member proposing the bill each in LS, RS and a major state, it looks like BJP plans to propose the bill from every other state where they are in power. A private member bill might sound interesting. But, is it really going to build a temple? I’m doubtful. First, if the ruling party was really serious on the issue of building a temple, they could have brought a unified bill, even an ordinance. Second, no private member bill was passed in upper houses in the past 50 years of independent India (I’m not sure about state assemblies). It is not because private member bills are not introduced, but because they are simply not discussed. 

A private member bill is like any other bill introduced by the government that can be tabled by any member of lower or upper houses. Same procedure applies to state assemblies. A government bill has the research backup from policy makers, bureaucrats, researchers and committees. Whereas a private member bill is prepared with an individual capacity. Some of the members have been really successful in preparing bills. 

Unfortunately, only 14 private member bills have been passed since 1968 (which became a law in 1970). Out of 14, 5 were passed in 1956 alone. After 1970, due to a change in governance ethics, discussion on private member bills reduced significantly and no bills were passed in the past 50 years even when the the bill was tabled by a ruling party member. We are in the 16th Lok Sabha session. Let’s see how many bills were tabled and discussed in the past 3 sessions (source). 

Private member bills introduced, discussed and passed in 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th (Until Apr 2015) LS sessions. 

Some of the excellent private member bills addressing real issues did not get a chance to discuss. Imagine the traffic on private member bills that will be introduced by Manoj Tiwari, Rakesh Sinha and Pralhad Joshi. Even if they are discussed, looking at trends, they won’t be passed. Not at-least during the present Lok Sabha session. 

After a long time, a private member bill voicing for transgender rights was passed in Rajya Sabha in April 2015. Since then, it is pending with Lok Sabha. Current government also tabled a similar bill which is yet to be passed. 

Manoj Tiwari, who is MP from North-East Constituency of Delhi, is openly advocating for a private member bill on Ram Temple. Delhi is going through a serious sealing crisis as local businesses are struggling, and Delhi MP has yet to start any attempts in order to address the crisis. Private member bill on this issue? Why not, at least if passed, businesses in Delhi will be relieved and state revenue will increase. North-East MP had always enough time and energy to hinder the functioning of Delhi govt but remains silent when there are issues related to the people from his own constituency. 

When it comes to TRP and debates, media houses are not behind. Few weeks ago, BJP MP was present in a TV debate on Ram Temple. Anchor asked Rakesh Sinha, if he will be bringing a private member bill on Ram Temple. At first Rakesh Sinha couldn’t give an answer, but after insisting he said with some doubt, “yes, if needed”. This led to a breaking news on the channel, “Big announcement by Rakesh Sinha, will bring private member bill on Ram Temple”. Rakesh Sinha was caught red faced during the moment, but it fuelled a sensation among supporters who don’t have any idea about private member bills and how they work. Followed by enthusiasm from his supporters, Rakesh Sinha began proliferating the issue. 

Similarly, RSS leader Mohan Bhagwat demanded for a bill on Ram Temple in the past, which BJP government denied. If BJP rulers were really serious about constructing a holy temple, then they would have acted long ago on Mr. Bhagwat’s appeal. 

Connecting the dots from private member bills, claims vs realities from BJP members, poll promises vs deliveries; agenda on Ram Temple will remain what it always has been i.e. “an agenda”. It will be just a tool to win elections while keeping the attention of voters away from real issues.

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