Parliament has been labeled a “Banana Parliament” by members who use inappropriate and unacceptable language. This criticism comes from Mary Chapman, a former secretary-general of Parliament, who expressed her disappointment over the current state of decorum in the House.
Chapman pointed to an incident during a session where a Cabinet Minister referred to an Opposition MP as a “murderer,” prompting the MP to retaliate by calling the minister a “chor,” which means thief. Chapman remarked that such conduct was unheard of during her tenure, noting that the Speaker would have quickly intervened in similar situations in the past.
During the chaotic exchange, Mr. Kumar responded by accusing the other MP of stealing from his family, indicating a continuation of the hostile dialogue. Chapman reflected on how the environment of Parliament has changed, saying she no longer watches the proceedings due to the ongoing antics that have detracted from its seriousness.
She emphasized that Parliament should not resemble a place for light-hearted banter, but rather a serious institution that serves the public interest. Chapman criticized the growing tolerance for insults, which now escalate from accusations of lying to claims of murder, warning that unless action is taken to curb this behavior, Parliament risks being seen as a legitimate “Banana Parliament.”