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the Opposition staging a walkout from the Rajya Sabha after Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge was stopped from quoting an unpublished memoir by former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane.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.
The controversy began when Rahul Gandhi, a member of the Lok Sabha, was prevented from quoting from the unpublished memoir during a debate in the lower house of Parliament. This move was seen as an attempt to stifle free speech and limit the ability of Opposition members to express their views. The incident sparked a heated debate, with the Opposition accusing the government of trying to gag them.
Mallikarjun Kharge, a senior Congress leader and MP, decided to take up the issue in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament. He stood up to quote from the same book, but was promptly stopped by Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan. The Chairman’s decision was based on the grounds that the book was unpublished and therefore could not be quoted in the House.
The Opposition MPs were quick to react to the Chairman’s decision, with many of them expressing their outrage and disappointment. They argued that the move was an attempt to stifle free speech and limit their ability to express their views. The tension in the House was palpable, with many MPs shouting and protesting against the Chairman’s decision.
As the situation continued to deteriorate, the Opposition MPs decided to stage a walkout from the House. The walkout was a symbolic protest against the Chairman’s decision and the government’s attempts to stifle free speech. The move was seen as a strong statement of dissent by the Opposition, who are determined to fight against what they see as an attempt to undermine their rights as MPs.
The incident has sparked a wider debate about the role of Parliament and the importance of free speech. Many have argued that the ability to quote from unpublished sources is essential for MPs to be able to express their views and hold the government to account. Others have argued that the move is an attempt to protect national security and prevent sensitive information from being leaked.
The unpublished memoir by General Manoj Mukund Naravane has been at the center of the controversy. The book is believed to contain sensitive information about the Indian Army and its operations, and its publication has been delayed due to security concerns. The government has argued that the book cannot be quoted in Parliament until it has been officially published and cleared by the relevant authorities.
The incident has also raised questions about the power of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and the limits of free speech in Parliament. The Chairman’s decision to stop Kharge from quoting from the book has been seen as an overreach of his authority, and many have argued that it is an attempt to stifle dissent and limit the ability of Opposition MPs to express their views.
In conclusion, the incident in the Rajya Sabha highlights the ongoing tensions between the government and the Opposition in India. The move to stop Kharge from quoting from the unpublished memoir has been seen as an attempt to stifle free speech and limit the ability of Opposition MPs to express their views. The walkout by the Opposition MPs is a strong statement of dissent and a reminder that they will not be silenced.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the Opposition’s demands for greater freedom of speech in Parliament. One thing is certain, however: the incident has highlighted the importance of free speech and the need for Parliament to be a place where MPs can express their views without fear of censorship or retribution.
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