The proceedings in both houses of the Indian Parliament, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, were abruptly adjourned until 12 noon on Friday as opposition members mounted vociferous protests against various issues.
In the Lok Sabha, chaos ensued during the Question Hour as opposition members raised their voices demanding attention to the ongoing Manipur situation. The opposition’s demands reverberated through the chamber as they displayed placards and chanted slogans. At the heart of their demands was the call for an early discussion on a motion of no-confidence they had tabled against the current government.
Responding to the uproar, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi highlighted the previous day’s debates, particularly the deliberations on the bill pertaining to the control of services in Delhi. Joshi emphasized the significance of the bills slated for discussion on the day.
Meanwhile, over in the Rajya Sabha, Leader of the House Piyush Goyal drew attention to reported atrocities against women in Rajasthan and pressed for a discussion on the matter. The opposition benches promptly disrupted his statement. The Chairman of the House, Jagdeep Dhankhar, intervened and encouraged the Leader of the Opposition to present his views. However, the treasury benches persisted in raising slogans concerning Rajasthan, further disrupting the proceedings.
“The need for constructive debate remains paramount. Disruption will not be tolerated,” Chairman Dhankhar asserted firmly, cautioning all members against causing undue disturbances.
Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge pointedly directed the treasury benches to address Rajasthan-related issues within the state assembly. “If they possess the strength, let them voice their concerns there,” Kharge insisted, highlighting the importance of utilizing the appropriate platform for such matters.
Amid the ongoing sloganeering, Kharge sought a discussion on the Manipur situation under Rule 267. In response, Chairman Dhankhar clarified that the House had the freedom to discuss a wide range of topics, with only a few exceptions related to the judiciary. Dhankhar stated that discussions concerning Manipur, as well as matters related to Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, were permissible.
Faced with the continuous uproar, Chairman Dhankhar took the decision to adjourn the Rajya Sabha until 12 noon, allowing for tempers to subside and order to be restored within the chamber.
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