Marshals in Motion: The silent force behind Assembly chaos
Inside the tense moments when order-keepers turn ‘peacemakers’ in the House
Srinagar: They are neither lawmakers nor political heavyweights. Yet, when the Legislative Assembly erupts in chaos, all eyes turn to them — the Marshals, the silent sentinels who step in when democracy’s debates turn into shouting matches.
On Thursday, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed one such moment of disorder when BJP legislators stormed into the well of the House, shouting slogans against the government. The din grew louder as lawmakers jostled near the Speaker’s podium, prompting the Marshals to move swiftly and restore order.
What followed was a scene that has become increasingly familiar in legislative chambers — Marshals forming a human wall between the agitated members and the Chair, guiding some out of the well, and absorbing the verbal blows meant for others.
“It all happens in a blink,” said a senior Marshal, his voice steady but reflective. “We are trained to act only when directed by the Speaker. The goal is simple — protect the dignity of the Chair, ensure no one crosses the line, and bring calm without confrontation.”
Another Marshal, recalling the charged atmosphere, said tensions often rise unpredictably. “One moment, it’s a debate. The next, its chaos. You can’t prepare for everything — you just have to read the room, stay alert, and act fast.”
For most Marshals, the job demands both physical agility and emotional restraint. “These are elected representatives — people’s voices,” said a Marshal who has served for 10 years. “We can’t handle them like miscreants. Our actions must be respectful, even when situations turn volatile.”
Assembly officials defended the Marshals’ intervention, noting that they acted strictly according to procedure.
“The Marshals are duty-bound to execute the Speaker’s orders. Once a directive is given, they must ensure the decorum of the House, regardless of who is involved,” said an official from the Secretariat.
Veteran observers say the role of Marshals has evolved over the years — from ceremonial guards to crisis managers. In an age of heightened political tempers and televised sessions, their task has grown both visible and sensitive.
“People only notice us when something goes wrong,” one Marshal remarked with a faint smile.
“If the House runs peacefully, we become invisible — and honestly, that’s when we know we’ve done our job well.”
In the drama of democracy, where passions flare and tempers test the limits of civility, the Marshals remain the unseen force keeping the institution intact. As one of them summed it up quietly: “We don’t raise slogans or take sides. We just hold the line — between order and chaos.”
