Shruti Suman
Mallikarjun Kharge, the Congress President, expressed his deep dissatisfaction on Wednesday as his self-respect was challenged during the Rajya Sabha proceedings when his microphone was turned off while he was addressing the house. The incident occurred amidst chaos in the chamber, with opposition members raising slogans and demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the three-month-long ethnic clashes in Manipur. In response, members of the ruling BJP-led alliance started chanting ‘Modi, Modi’, leading to a chaotic situation. The proceedings were adjourned until noon.
As the Leader of Opposition in the Congress Rajya Sabha, Mr. Kharge conveyed his indignation at being interrupted mid-speech, which sparked ruckus among opposition members.
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar appealed to both Mr. Kharge and the Leader of the House, Piyush Goyal, to help restore order in the house. However, despite these efforts, the heated exchanges continued.
This tumultuous session occurred as opposition MPs submitted notices in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, seeking discussions on the ongoing situation in Manipur, a contentious issue that has resulted in an ongoing deadlock in parliament since the monsoon session began.
In the Lok Sabha, Congress MP Manickam Tagore submitted an Adjournment Motion Notice, calling for a discussion on the Manipur issue. Simultaneously, opposition Rajya Sabha MPs Tiruchi Siva of DMK and RJD’s Manoj Jha put forth Suspension of Business Notices under Rule 267, requesting the suspension of the day’s remaining agenda to address the unrest in the troubled northeastern state.
Several other opposition members, including Congress’ Ranjeet Ranjan, Rajeev Shukla, and Aam Aadmi Party’s Raghav Chadha, also supported similar calls to prioritize discussions on Manipur’s predicament.
The opposition’s alliance, known as the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, has additionally introduced a no-confidence motion against the government in the Lok Sabha.
The parliament reconvened at 11 am on the fifth day of the monsoon session with an agenda that included statements from Union Minister Jitendra Singh on the implementation of Standing Committee Recommendations, a proposed amendment to the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, and a motion for the election to the council of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore.
The central government has expressed its readiness for a discussion on the Manipur situation, although opposition parties are insisting on a debate under a rule that would require a vote. Home Minister Amit Shah has reached out to opposition leaders in both Houses of Parliament, expressing the government’s willingness to discuss the issue and urging bipartisan cooperation.
