SRINAGAR: Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather, on Friday stressed the importance of meaningful debates and discussions in legislatures to strengthen democracy while addressing the 11th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Conference in Bengaluru.
The three-day conference, being held from September 11 to 13, has brought together Speakers and Secretaries from all states and Union Territories. The inaugural address was delivered by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
Speaking on the theme “Debates and Discussions in the Houses of Legislature: Building People’s Trust, Meeting People’s Aspirations”, Speaker Rather described legislatures as “temples of democracy” where the people’s voice shapes the nation’s future.
“Debate is the soul of democracy. When legislators engage in meaningful discussions, people begin to trust the system. Trust is strengthened when we move beyond disruption to discussion, beyond personal attacks to policy analysis, beyond noise to nuance,” he said.
He underlined that debates must address citizens’ real issues, focus on inclusive growth and generate actionable solutions. “Every time a law is passed after thorough debate, every time a policy is improved through suggestions in the House, it is the people’s aspiration being honoured,” he noted.
Urging lawmakers to maintain responsible conduct, he cautioned that shouting matches and walkouts erode public faith. “We must demand that our representatives come prepared, respect decorum, and focus on solutions, not stunts,” he said.
On the sidelines, Speaker Rather met Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Secretary General Stephen Twigg and expressed gratitude for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s CPA membership. Twigg invited him to attend the upcoming CPA conference in Barbados in October 2025.
Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Manoj Pandita, accompanied the Speaker to the conference.
