West Bengal is all set to witness the implementation of a major decision by the West Bengal Assembly to ban the entry of personal security guards of MLAs and ministers to the Assembly premises this week. The resolution is expected to maintain the sanctity of the House and is going to help in the smooth proceedings of the Assembly without unwanted disruptions, as per officials.
Indeed, it was a common sight to have security personnel accompany them even to the Assembly, a facility which the ministers and legislators could tend to individually. However, Speaker Biman Bandyopadhyay made it clear that the Assembly is a space only for the elected representatives, accredited journalists, and authorized staff. He further added that, by allowing armed guards or security personnel inside, the Assembly decorum is violated, which is a legislative environment he sees it fit for only.
The recent directive follows numerous complaints from lawmakers from various parties who voiced their disapproval regarding the increasing presence of the Assembly corridors with security personnel. A section of the MLAs saw it as a move to create an atmosphere of fear, while some others insisted it was an act that diminished the sense of equity among the legislators.While the fear of security issues facing the public representatives is always genuine, the authorities made it clear that the Assembly has a security system already in place.
The measures which include entry checkpoints and surveillance cameras inside the building are believed to be adequate to provide safety to all members without personal guards required to be inside.The decree also enjoys considerable acceptance from the opposition leaders. The majority stated that once they set foot in the Assembly, all MLAs, as well as the ministers, should be treated on the same basis without any regard to their positions or the effect they can have externally.The House must cultivate an equidistant platform for discussion and law making.No one should feel diminished due to the presence of armed personnel,which was cited by one of the members of the oppositional party.Yet, some ministers who are not in favor of the new approach have been particular about their reservations, especially the very ones who are under more security threats back in their constituencies. They maintain that even though the law is fair, the times of uncertainty may require a bit more vigilance.
Presently, the decree is unyielding. Security guards still have the option of taking their charges to the entrance but not indoors since this regulation prohibits them from going past the main gate of the Assembly. The initiative is a step towards reclaiming the Assembly’s identity as a space for democracy that entails the people’s voice being superior to the show of force.
