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In a dramatic turn of events, Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge was stopped from quoting an unpublished memoir by former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane in the Rajya Sabha.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 incident sparked a walkout by Opposition MPs, who were already simmering with discontent over the issue of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi not being allowed to quote the same book in the Lok Sabha. The controversy surrounding the book has once again brought to the forefront the tensions between the ruling party and the Opposition, with the latter crying foul over what they perceive as censorship and stifling of free speech.
The incident began when Kharge rose to speak in the Rajya Sabha, intending to quote from General Naravane’s memoir, which has been making headlines for its purported revelations about the government’s handling of national security issues. However, before he could proceed, Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan intervened, stopping Kharge from quoting the book. The Chairman’s decision was reportedly based on the fact that the book is still unpublished and therefore, its contents cannot be cited in the House.
Kharge, however, argued that the book’s contents were already in the public domain, and therefore, he should be allowed to quote from it. He also pointed out that the issue was already raised in the Lok Sabha, where Rahul Gandhi was not permitted to quote from the same book. Kharge’s attempt to raise the issue in the Rajya Sabha was seen as an attempt to highlight the inconsistency in the approach of the two Houses of Parliament.
The Opposition MPs, who were already agitated over the issue, took strong exception to the Chairman’s ruling, alleging that it was an attempt to stifle free speech and prevent them from raising important issues. They argued that the book’s contents were a matter of public interest and that they should be allowed to discuss them in the House. The walkout by the Opposition MPs was a clear indication of their displeasure with the way the issue was handled.
The controversy surrounding General Naravane’s memoir has been brewing for some time now. The book, which is expected to be published soon, is said to contain revelations about the government’s handling of national security issues, including the border standoff with China. The government has been accused of trying to suppress the book’s contents, with the Opposition alleging that it is trying to hide the truth from the public.
The incident in the Rajya Sabha has once again highlighted the tensions between the ruling party and the Opposition. The Opposition has been accusing the government of trying to stifle free speech and prevent them from raising important issues. The government, on the other hand, has been maintaining that it is committed to upholding the rules and procedures of Parliament.
The walkout by the Opposition MPs is a clear indication of their frustration with the way the issue was handled. The Opposition has been demanding that the government allow them to discuss the issue of national security and the contents of General Naravane’s memoir. The government, however, has been reluctant to engage with the Opposition on the issue, leading to a stalemate.
The incident has also raised questions about the role of Parliament in holding the government accountable. The Opposition has been arguing that Parliament is the only platform where they can hold the government accountable, and that they should be allowed to raise important issues. The government, on the other hand, has been maintaining that Parliament should not be used as a platform for politicking and that the Opposition should respect the rules and procedures of the House.
In conclusion, the incident in the Rajya Sabha has once again highlighted the tensions between the ruling party and the Opposition. The controversy surrounding General Naravane’s memoir has brought to the forefront the issue of free speech and the role of Parliament in holding the government accountable. The Opposition’s walkout is a clear indication of their frustration with the way the issue was handled, and it remains to be seen how the government will respond to their demands.
The incident has also raised questions about the consistency of the approach of the two Houses of Parliament. The fact that Rahul Gandhi was not allowed to quote from the book in the Lok Sabha, while Kharge was stopped from doing so in the Rajya Sabha, has highlighted the need for a uniform approach to such issues. The government and the Opposition will need to engage with each other to find a way forward on this issue.
As the controversy surrounding General Naravane’s memoir continues to simmer, it is clear that the issue will not die down anytime soon. The Opposition will continue to push for the government to allow them to discuss the issue of national security and the contents of the book. The government, on the other hand, will need to find a way to address the concerns of the Opposition while also upholding the rules and procedures of Parliament.
News Source: https://x.com/PTI_News/status/2019299438746091906
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