The unified opposition alliance INDIA remained unwavering in their demand for a comprehensive discussion on the Manipur situation in the upper House. Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar abruptly adjourned the House proceedings for the day following a heated exchange with TMC leader Derek O’Brien.
The confrontation arose when Derek O’Brien interrupted Dhankhar concerning the non-admission of notices submitted by opposition members under rule 267 to discuss the situation in Manipur.
Numerous MPs, totaling 47, from parties spanning Congress, Left, TMC, and DMK, had given notices under this rule, which calls for the suspension of the listed business to address the raised issue.
Dhankhar stated that he had already agreed to a short duration discussion on the matter and urged members to adhere to that rule for further deliberation.
He then proceeded to comment on how the conduct of MPs in the Upper House is perceived by the outside world.
In response, Derek O’Brien stood up to advocate for the motion that opposition parties had been seeking to move since the commencement of the monsoon session of Parliament the previous week. He expressed his point by thumping the desk, a gesture that Dhankhar deemed as “theatrics.”
“Show respect to the chair,” he demanded. “Don’t thump the desk.”
Despite the chairman’s plea, Derek O’Brien continued to assert his position, leading to the abrupt adjournment of the day’s proceedings.
The House is scheduled to reconvene on Monday, July 31st.
Lok Sabha proceedings were also disrupted amid a protest by opposition members over the Manipur issue.
Since the commencement of the Monsoon session on July 20, the unrest in Manipur has significantly disrupted proceedings in both Houses of Parliament. The opposition has been adamant about seeking a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and holding a thorough discussion on the situation in the northeastern state.
In response to the government’s silence on the matter, the opposition has taken a drastic step by moving a no-confidence motion against the Modi government, aiming to compel the prime minister to address the issue of Manipur violence.
(With inputs from agencies)