New Delhi, Nov 28: Rajya Sabha proceedings were washed out for the third consecutive day on Thursday after uproar by opposition MPs over the Adani issue and violence in Manipur and Sambhal.
Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar’s appeals that Parliamentary disruption was not a remedy but a malady which weakened the foundation of India’s democracy went unheeded as the opposition members continued to protest.
The proceedings of the Upper House were adjourned within minutes after it met at 12 noon, following one adjournment shortly after 11 am.
Recalling that Wednesday marked a historic milestone — the beginning of the final quarter-century before India’s Constitution turned 100 — Dhankhar lamented that the House members missed the opportunity to engage in productive dialogue.
“This was a moment for our House of Elders, guided by the spirit of nationalism, to send a powerful message of hope to 1.4 billion Indians, reaffirming our commitment to their dreams and journey towards Viksit Bharat at 2047,” he said.
“Yet, with deep regret, I must say we missed this historic opportunity. Where there should have been productive dialogue echoing the collective aspirations of our nation, we fell short of our people’s expectations,” he lamented.
Dhankhar said the chamber was more than just a house of debate. “It is from where our national spirit has to echo.”
“Parliamentary disruption is not a remedy but a malady that weakens the very foundation of our democracy. It slides Parliament into irrelevance. The sanctity of this House demands debate, not discord; dialogue, not disruption,” he said as the opposition members continued to shout slogans.
Dhankhar said, “We must continue to have our relevance. When we engage in this kind of conduct, we deviate from constitutional ordainment and we turn our back to our duties.”
However, as the protests continued, the chairman adjourned the House for the day. The Upper House will reconvene at 11 am on Friday.
When the House convened at the start of the day, proceedings were adjourned for nearly 50 minutes till 12 noon as opposition MPs protested against the rejection of adjournment notices for a discussion on the allegations against the Adani Group in the US, and violence in Manipur and Sambhal.
Shortly after the laying of listed papers in the morning session, Dhankhar said he had received 16 notices for adjournment of scheduled business under Rule 267 of the House.
The chairman said he was rejecting all the notices.
“If you look at the journey of this House with reference to Rule 267, even for the last 30 years where we have had various political dispensations in authority, in governance, the number was never beyond single digit and the background every time reflected a consensual approach, a dialogue between the parties,” he said.
The notices were for discussions on the allegations of corruption against the Adani Group, communal violence in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal and ethnic clashes in Manipur. (PTI)
