States » NorthPosted at: Nov 2 2026 1:35PM


Speaker must act as referee, if contestants began doubting, they could walk away, says Hooda

Panchkula, Nov 2 (UNI) Haryana Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda, on Monday, said elected representatives must be judged by whether they listen, respond and remain accountable, while Speakers must act as referees who command the trust of both sides of the House.
Addressing a conference of serving and former legislators inaugurated by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Hooda said public representatives and presiding officers had distinct responsibilities in making constitutional democracy work.
“For a public representative, there are three tests: listening, responding and accountability,” he said.
These obligations applied to everyone from panchayat members and sarpanches to legislators and MPs, he said. Representatives must hear citizens’ concerns, provide answers and frame laws that meet public expectations.
Turning to the conduct of legislatures, Hooda compared the government and the opposition to two wrestlers and the Speaker to their referee.
Recalling wrestling matches he watched as a child, he said both contestants accepted the referee’s whistle because they trusted his judgement. A Speaker needed to inspire the same confidence across party lines.
“That trust is essential for a Speaker. The ruling side and the opposition must be treated equally,” Hooda said.
If contestants began doubting the referee or umpire, they could walk away, he said, cautioning against allowing such distrust to develop in legislative institutions.
“The Constitution is not merely a book in a library. It is the soul of our democracy,” he said.
Invoking B.R. Ambedkar’s observations, Hooda said even a well-drafted Constitution could fail to achieve its objectives if those responsible for implementing it did not discharge their duties properly.
The former chief minister said Haryana’s completion of 60 years must be an occasion to examine its shortcomings alongside celebrating its achievements.
Calling for “aatmanirikshan”, or self-reflection, he said the state needed to assess where it stood on public safety, health, employment, debt and sustainable development.
Referring to the Centre’s Social Progress Index, Hooda questioned Haryana’s performance on safety. He also alleged that nearly 80 gangs were operating in the state.
He cited rankings placing Haryana 14th in physical health, 15th on debt and 11th in sustainable development, and said it remained among the states with high unemployment. He did not specify the years covered by these rankings.
“This is a matter that requires serious thought,” he said.
“I am in the opposition, but I am not an adversary,” Hooda added, affirming his support for efforts that served Haryana’s interests.
He acknowledged the state’s progress in roads, electricity and education since its formation in 1966, when doubts were expressed about whether it could meet even its salary commitments.
The expansion of universities, engineering institutions and medical colleges had widened opportunities for students who once travelled to Maharashtra and other states for professional education, he said. Credit for Haryana’s progress belonged to all those who had contributed over the decades.
Tracing the expansion of democratic rights, Hooda said the Constitution established universal adult franchise, replacing restrictions linked to property, taxation and education with an equal vote for citizens.
Liberty, equality and fraternity must reach every household, he said, calling for equal treatment regardless of religion, caste or economic circumstances.
He also recalled the contribution of his father, Chaudhary Ranbir Singh, a Constituent Assembly member and signatory to the Constitution.
Hooda said Haryana’s Assembly began with 54 members in 1966, expanded to 81 in 1967 and reached its present strength of 90 in 1977.
He thanked the organisers for providing a platform for serving and former legislators to exchange views, saying the government and the opposition shared the goal of development.
Hooda also thanked Birla for facilitating cafeteria access in the new Parliament building for former parliamentarians and expressed hope that access would be extended to the lobby.
Assembly Speaker Harvinder Kalyan, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Deputy Speaker Krishan Lal Middha and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mahipal Dhanda attended the conference, which launched the Assembly’s Constitution Fortnight programme.
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Tags: #Speaker must act as referee# if contestants began doubting# they could walk away# says Hooda
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