Kharge stopped from quoting book in Rajya Sabha, Opp’n walks out
In a dramatic turn of events, Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge was stopped from quoting an unpublished memoir by former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane in the Rajya Sabha. This led to a walkout by Opposition MPs, who were visibly upset by the Chairman’s decision. The incident occurred when Kharge raised the issue of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi not being allowed to quote the same book in the Lok Sabha.
The unpublished memoir, written by General Naravane, has been making waves in political circles, with many MPs eager to quote from it to make their points. However, it seems that the government is not keen on allowing this to happen, at least not without a fight. When Kharge tried to quote from the book, Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan stopped him, citing rules that prohibit the quoting of unpublished works.
Kharge was taken aback by the Chairman’s decision and argued that the book was already in the public domain, having been widely reported on by the media. He also pointed out that Rahul Gandhi had been stopped from quoting the same book in the Lok Sabha, and that this was a clear case of double standards. However, the Chairman was unmoved, and Kharge was forced to stop speaking.
The Opposition MPs, who had been watching the exchange with interest, were quick to jump to Kharge’s defense. They argued that the Chairman’s decision was unfair and that Kharge should be allowed to quote from the book. However, their protests fell on deaf ears, and the Chairman refused to budge.
In a show of solidarity with Kharge, the Opposition MPs staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha. This was a clear indication that they were not happy with the way the proceedings were being conducted and that they would not stand for what they saw as an attempt to stifle free speech.
The incident has sparked a heated debate about the role of Parliament and the rules that govern its proceedings. While some argue that the Chairman’s decision was correct, others see it as an attempt to muzzle the Opposition. The fact that the book in question is an unpublished memoir by a former Army Chief has added an extra layer of complexity to the issue, with some arguing that it is not fair to quote from a work that has not been officially released.
The walkout by Opposition MPs is a clear indication that they will not back down on this issue. They see it as a matter of principle, and are determined to fight for their right to quote from the book. The government, on the other hand, seems determined to prevent this from happening, at least for the time being.
As the drama unfolds, it remains to be seen how this issue will be resolved. Will the Opposition MPs be able to persuade the Chairman to change his mind, or will they continue to be stopped from quoting from the book? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – this is an issue that will not go away anytime soon.
The incident has also raised questions about the transparency of the government and its willingness to allow free speech. The fact that Rahul Gandhi was stopped from quoting the book in the Lok Sabha, and now Kharge has been stopped in the Rajya Sabha, suggests that the government is trying to suppress certain information from coming out.
The Opposition MPs have made it clear that they will not back down on this issue and will continue to fight for their right to quote from the book. The government, on the other hand, needs to clarify its stance on the issue and provide a clear explanation for why the MPs are not being allowed to quote from the book.
In conclusion, the incident in the Rajya Sabha has highlighted the importance of free speech and the need for transparency in government. The Opposition MPs have made it clear that they will not be silenced, and the government needs to take a clear stance on the issue. As the drama continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this issue will be resolved.
News Source: https://x.com/PTI_News/status/2019299438746091906