Kharge stopped from quoting book in Rajya Sabha, Opp’n walks out
The Indian Parliament has once again been at the center of controversy, as Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge was stopped from quoting an unpublished memoir by former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane in the Rajya Sabha. This incident led to a walkout by Opposition MPs, who were protesting against the restriction on freedom of speech in the House. The issue began when Kharge raised the matter of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi not being allowed to quote the same book in the Lok Sabha, which prompted Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan to intervene and stop him.
The unpublished memoir by General Naravane has been making headlines in recent days, with several MPs attempting to quote from it in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. However, the government has been quick to object to these attempts, citing the fact that the book has not yet been published and therefore cannot be quoted in Parliament. This has led to a heated debate between the government and the Opposition, with the latter accusing the former of trying to stifle freedom of speech and suppress important information.
The incident in the Rajya Sabha began when Kharge stood up to raise a point of order, citing the example of Rahul Gandhi being disallowed from quoting the book in the Lok Sabha. Kharge argued that the rules of Parliament allow MPs to quote from any book or document, regardless of whether it has been published or not. He also pointed out that the book in question was written by a former Army Chief, and therefore contained important information about national security and defense matters.
However, before Kharge could proceed further, Chairman CP Radhakrishnan intervened and stopped him from quoting from the book. Radhakrishnan cited the same reason that had been given in the Lok Sabha, namely that the book was unpublished and therefore could not be quoted in Parliament. Kharge protested against this decision, arguing that it was unfair and went against the principles of freedom of speech.
The Opposition MPs, who had been watching the exchange between Kharge and the Chairman, soon joined in the protest. They argued that the government was trying to suppress important information and stifle freedom of speech in Parliament. The MPs also pointed out that the rules of Parliament were being interpreted in a biased manner, with the government using them to silence the Opposition.
As the protest gained momentum, the Opposition MPs decided to stage a walkout from the House. The walkout was led by Kharge, who was joined by other senior leaders of the Congress and other Opposition parties. The MPs walked out of the House, shouting slogans and protesting against the government’s attempt to stifle freedom of speech.
The walkout by the Opposition MPs is a significant development, as it highlights the growing tensions between the government and the Opposition in Parliament. The incident also raises important questions about the freedom of speech in Parliament and the role of the Chairman in regulating debates. While the government has argued that the rules of Parliament prohibit the quoting of unpublished books, the Opposition has countered that this rule is being used to suppress important information and stifle dissent.
The controversy surrounding the unpublished memoir by General Naravane is also likely to continue, with the Opposition demanding that the book be made public and the government resisting these demands. The issue has already sparked a heated debate about national security and defense matters, with the Opposition accusing the government of trying to cover up important information.
In conclusion, the incident in the Rajya Sabha highlights the growing tensions between the government and the Opposition in Parliament. The attempt to stop Kharge from quoting from the unpublished memoir by General Naravane has sparked a controversy about freedom of speech and the role of the Chairman in regulating debates. As the Opposition continues to protest against the government’s actions, it remains to be seen how this issue will be resolved and what implications it will have for the future of Parliament.
News source: https://x.com/PTI_News/status/2019299438746091906
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