Wit and humour can enliven any discussion, including the usually acrimonious parliamentary debates. Members of Parliament often use a mix of poetry and sarcasm to get their point across.
Sample this. In January this year, when Mallikarjun Kharge told Speaker Sumitra Mahajan in chaste Hindi that his motion for adjournment has been turned down, Mahajan responded quickly saying the motion has been rejected. “That’s what I said in Hindi. I know a little bit of Hindi,” Kharge said.
Mahajan answered, “Your Hindi is better than mine. Maybe there is a problem with my hearing, and it's all because of you (as you are always protesting loudly).”
Kharge shot back, “I will recommend you to a good doctor.”
On hearing this, there was laughter all around. The acrimony between the opposition benches and the chair was softened with this light-hearted exchange.
A similar quip from the speaker had the house in splits last year when she called out the name of the MP from Manipur, Dr Thokchom Meinya, during the Zero Hour. As there was pandemonium in the house, he could not hear and later responded that he was present there and be allowed to speak. Mahajan said she had already called his name twice, but he did not hear.
Meinya responded, “Madam, it is a bit difficult for me to follow you in Hindi. I am sorry.”
Mahajan replied, “I only called your name. I did not say anything else. What is it about Hindi and English? Is your name different in English?”
The current session of the Parliament is turning out to be a washout as a united opposition has been protesting on a number of issues ranging from PNB scam, special status for Andhra Pradesh to Cauvery water sharing. It has deprived the house of an opportunity to witness eloquence or wit during debates.
The Lok Sabha secretariat records the banter and poetic renditions by members during the recorded speech in the house.
In another incident, AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal who was found shuffling papers while speaking, said, “Madam, we are like your children. Even papers get displaced while you are here.”
Mahajan responded, “Am not that scary!”
Poetry is often used by members to drive home their point. Urdu couplets are the favourite, with Ghalib being the most quoted.
In December last year, Ramesh Pokhriyal recited one: “Umar bhar iss bhool ko jite rahe Ghalib, ki dhool chehre pe thi aur ayina pochte rahe.” (We kept repeating the mistake whole life. There was dirt on our faces, but we kept on cleaning the mirror.)
Another time, speaking during the discussion on Triple Talaq, BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi recited an Urdu couplet: “Kyun banate hain aise rishte, jo pal do pal main toot jaate hain, vaada toh hum karte hain, taumar saath nibhane ka, lekin halki si aandhi main bikhar jaate hain.”
(Why do we have such relationships that break up so soon? We promise to honour them for life, but they disintegrate in the slightest of storms)
Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma also quoted Ghalib's couplet last year: “Thi khabar garam ki Ghalib ke udenge purze, dekhne hum bhi gaye, magar tamasha nahi huya.”
(There was a buzz that Ghalib will be torn to pieces. I also went to see, but there was no spectacle)
NCP MP Tariq Anwar, while speaking during a discussion in the house, recited an Urdu couplet: “Ghar sajane ka tasavuur bahut baad ka hai, pehle yeh teh ho ise bachana kaise hai.”
(Forget imagining about decorating the house, first decide how to save it.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other BJP MPs quote Hindi poems and even shlokas to buttress their points. While participating in the special discussion on Quit India Movement during the session in August, Modi had recited Sohanlal Dwivedi’s poem on Mahatma Gandhi showing a new way to the world: “Chal pade jidhar do ḍaag, mag men, chal pade koti pag usee aur pad gayi jidhar bhee ek drishti, pad gayi koti drishti usee aur.”