"More than halfway through DPT's term in office, some MPs have not contributed even a single word to the parliamentary deliberations and discourse. Simply chair-warming and voting for bills do not justify the high salary and perks they enjoy. Surely, the people voted them to represent their concerns in the parliament, not to play dummy. If their role in the parliament sessions is simply ceremonial, we doubt they play any role in the background. In the absence of sword fighting today, the paraphernalia of position like the sword signify their responsibility to speak."
-Editorial of Bhutan Observer, Friday May 27-June 03,2011.
It is quite disheartening to see some MPs not speaking even once for the past six sessions and still keeping shut through the seventh session too. I feel that silence is not gold out there, though proverb says, "Speech is silver but silence is gold." People highlighted about Opposition Leader, just for remaining silent regarding the Anticorruption Bill. But he clarified for he raised his hand twice but "The speaker probably did not see me." Even if he was given a chance he said he would have supported it. It is clear that people are watching.
When some MPs can raise his hand six times in a sitting, why can't some MPs just pick their hands once in a six sessions. Whatever it may be, if they fail to speak out in parliament, people still miss a part of your capability. We would be proud to count the points coined by our Representatives. But if they contribute zero point, how shall we comfort our mind. Even a word coined or deleted makes a mighty difference in this context.
We must follow middle path, we should have vocal as well as substance in one's speech. But till date, those who raised their vocals are filled with content. It is a good sign. However, silence could either mean one of the two: they don't do their homework or they are too passive. Neither of these is good for our parliamentarians.
So, is silence still gold?
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