Rajya Sabha's last day of the Budget session witnessed a war of words between Vice President of India and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar and Opposition Leader Mallikarjun Kharge. The debate arose when Congress MPs questioned the Vice President for giving the floor to RLD's Jayant Singh to speak about the government's decision to confer the Bharat Ratna on his grandfather and former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh.
Former Prime Ministers Chaudhary Charan Singh and Narasimha Rao, BJP stalwart and former Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani, the harbinger of India's Green Revolution MS Swaminathan, and former two-time Bihar Chief Minister and social justice advocate Dr. Karpoori Thakur, will do that. the country's highest civilian honor will be awarded later this year.
Jagdeep Dhankhar said he was deeply “hurt” by Mallikarjun Kharge's behavior and hinted that the entire episode hurt him more than the death of his young son, while also lashing out at Congressman Jairam Ramesh, claiming he is not fit for purpose to be a president. member of the Senate because of this misconduct.
The trouble started when Jagdeep Dhankhar called Jayant Singh to speak soon after the House met that day. The Congress MPs alleged that the Speaker had not indicated when he gave the floor to Jayant Singh nor had the House commercial papers recorded any statement from anyone regarding the government's decision to grant the Bharat Ratna to the former Prime Ministers PV Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary. Charan Singh and agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan.
During this time, Jairam Ramesh made certain comments and asked Jayant Singh where he wanted to go, in an indirect reference to Rashtriya Lok Dal's affiliation with the Bharatiya Janata Party for the Lok Sabha elections.
This angered Jagdeep Dhankhar. He called Jairam Ramesh unfit to sit in the House. Later, after the discussion on the government's 'white paper' on the economy, Jagdeep Dhankhar criticized Jairam Ramesh and condemned his behavior.
“I heard what Jairam Ramesh said to Jayant… you (Ramesh) are someone who can feast at the cremation ground,” he said after the initial argument. “It is a fact that you (Ramesh) do not deserve to be part of this House because of this misconduct,” the Rajya Sabha chairman said.
Amid protests from Congress members, Jagdeep Dhankhar allowed Mallikarjun Kharge to speak. Mallikarjun Kharge said there was no debate on the Centre's decision to honor leaders with India's highest civilian award. “I greet everyone. But if a member wants to raise an issue, ask (chairman) 'under what rule'. (I want to know) under what rule he (Jayant Singh) can speak… Give us permission On the one hand you talk about rules… you have discretion… that discretion should be used judiciously and not as and when you please' , said the Leader of the Opposition.
Reacting to this, Jagdeep Dhankhar accused Congress leaders of insulting Chaudhary Charan Singh and his legacy.
Jagdeep Dhankhar then read out a message he received from Jayant Singh to speak for a few minutes and allowed the RLD MP to complete his entry.
“It was a painful day for me today. I seek your protection. It sometimes becomes difficult to follow a worthy path… With pain I bring to your attention one subject to think about… I want one you share and discuss important issue with you,” he said later.
The chairman added that the behavior was “unexpected”, “shameful” and “painful”.
“Chaudhary Charan Singh does not belong to one family, but since his grandson is a member of the House of Representatives, it is a matter of pride for us. The behavior I saw and you saw too was unprecedented, insulting and painful. The behavior of some of the members was so petty that I felt ashamed. Many thoughts went through my mind; one was also resignation,” Jagdeep Dhankhar said in the House of Representatives.
“I am deeply hurt. Don't forget the kind of language the Leader of the Opposition uses against me. I come from the farming community; That doesn't mean I'm weak. I have a lot,” he added.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said, “I lost my adult son. But today's pain (was more) when Jayant Chaudhary spoke, what did Jairam Ramesh say?”
He said he did not want to drag the issue and said, putting aside political arguments, “we have to be sensitive when it comes to respect for leaders.”
Saturday was the last day of the Budget Session, which was also the last session of the 17th Lok Sabha, before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
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Published: Feb 11, 2024 10:06 AM IST