Kharge stopped from quoting book in Rajya Sabha, Opp’n walks out
The Indian Parliament has once again witnessed a dramatic turn of events, with the Opposition staging a walkout from the Rajya Sabha after Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge was stopped from quoting an unpublished memoir by former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane. The incident occurred when Kharge attempted to raise the issue of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi not being allowed to quote the same book in Lok Sabha, only to be interrupted by Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan.
The controversy began when Rahul Gandhi, during a discussion in Lok Sabha, tried to quote from General Naravane’s memoir, which is yet to be published. However, he was not allowed to do so, sparking a heated debate between the Treasury benches and the Opposition. The issue was subsequently raised in Rajya Sabha by Kharge, who sought to quote from the same book. However, before he could proceed, Chairman Radhakrishnan intervened, stopping Kharge from quoting the book.
The Chairman’s decision was met with strong objections from the Opposition, who argued that Kharge should be allowed to quote from the book, especially since it was relevant to the discussion at hand. However, their pleas fell on deaf ears, and Kharge was not permitted to continue. This led to a walkout by the Opposition MPs, who protested against the Chairman’s decision and the government’s attempt to stifle free speech and discussion in the House.
The incident has sparked a fresh debate about the freedom of speech and expression in Parliament, with the Opposition accusing the government of trying to muzzle dissenting voices. The Congress party has been particularly vocal in its criticism, with several of its leaders taking to social media to express their outrage and disappointment.
The unpublished memoir by General Naravane has been at the center of the controversy, with the Opposition seeking to quote from it to highlight certain issues related to national security and defense. However, the government has been resistant to allowing quotes from the book, citing its unpublished status and the need to maintain confidentiality.
The walkout by the Opposition has once again highlighted the deep divisions within the Indian Parliament, with the Treasury benches and the Opposition often at loggerheads over various issues. The incident has also raised questions about the role of the Chairman and the Speaker in maintaining order and facilitating discussion in the House.
In recent times, there have been several instances of Opposition MPs being stopped from raising certain issues or quoting from specific sources, leading to accusations of bias and partisanship. The incident involving Kharge and the unpublished memoir is just the latest example of this trend, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming days.
As the Indian Parliament continues to witness heated debates and controversies, it is essential to remember the importance of free speech and expression in a democratic setup. The ability of MPs to raise issues and quote from relevant sources is a fundamental aspect of parliamentary democracy, and any attempts to stifle this freedom can have far-reaching consequences.
In conclusion, the incident involving Kharge and the unpublished memoir by General Naravane has once again highlighted the tensions between the Treasury benches and the Opposition in the Indian Parliament. The walkout by the Opposition has sparked a fresh debate about the freedom of speech and expression in Parliament, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming days.
News source: https://x.com/PTI_News/status/2019299438746091906
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