Shashi Tharoor Criticises New Parliament Building as Soulless Conference Centre

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has termed the new Parliament building a "soulless conference centre," arguing that its expansive layout damages intimacy and mirrors the polarisation seen in contemporary Indian politics.

What Happened

Speaking at the launch of journalist Sobhana K Nair’s book, Housing the Republic: A Biography of the Indian Parliament, the Thiruvananthapuram MP shared critical observations regarding the architecture and atmosphere of the new complex. Tharoor noted that high ceilings and a fan-shaped arrangement hinder the conversational coziness that characterised the previous chambers. He specifically pointed out the absence of a Central Hall, which previously served as a venue for cross-party interactions, discussions with former parliamentarians, observers, and journalists.

Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas, who participated as a fellow panellist, expressed similar views. Brittas questioned the aesthetics of the new structure and highlighted a decline in the substance of parliamentary discourse. He also raised concerns regarding financial transparency, asserting that his queries about the total expenditure on the building were met with responses stating the cost could not be divulged, unlike the documented 83 lakh rupees spent on the colonial-era Council House.

Key Highlights

• Architectural Critique: Tharoor stated the high ceilings and fan-like layout distance lawmakers, serving as a metaphor for political polarisation.
• Loss of Informal Spaces: The lack of a Central Hall was identified as a key factor reducing collegiality and informal dialogue across party lines.
• Concern Over Expansion: Tharoor cautioned against proposed plans to expand the Lok Sabha to 850 members, warning it could compromise deliberative democracy and reduce lawmakers to passive participants.
• Seating Improvement: Tharoor credited the new building with fixing the physical inconvenience of older benches, where members had to squeeze past colleagues to reach aisles.
• Cost Transparency Issues: MP John Brittas criticised the lack of official disclosure regarding the total construction cost of the new building.

Why This Matters

The critiques point to how legislative architecture directly influences informal networking, cross-party consensus, and the nature of debate. While the four-storey structure inaugurated in 2023 under the Central Vista project solved space and physical accessibility constraints, opposition lawmakers argue that its design weakens interpersonal relationships among parliamentarians.

What to Watch Next

Discussions regarding parliamentary procedure, transparency on Central Vista project expenditures, and debates surrounding the potential expansion of Lok Sabha seats remain key areas of attention among lawmakers and political observers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What were Shashi Tharoor’s primary concerns regarding the new building?

Tharoor criticised the high ceilings and seating arrangements for eliminating intimacy and informal interaction, while also expressing concern that the absence of a Central Hall diminishes cross-party camaraderie.

Did Tharoor find any positive features in the new Parliament?

Yes, he acknowledged that the new seating plan successfully addressed the physical inconvenience of the old chambers, where members had to squeeze past one another to access the aisles.

What points did Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas raise during the discussion?

Brittas focused on the drop in the quality of parliamentary debates and stated that officials declined to reveal the total expenditure incurred on the new complex when questioned.

Source: The Hindu