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In a dramatic turn of events, Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge was stopped from quoting an unpublished memoir by former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane in the Rajya Sabha.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 led to a walkout by Opposition MPs, who were protesting the restrictions imposed on them by the Chairman of the Upper House. The controversy began when Kharge raised the issue of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi not being allowed to quote the same book in the Lok Sabha.
Kharge, who is a senior leader of the Congress party, stood up in the Rajya Sabha to quote from the memoir, which is yet to be published. However, before he could even begin, he was interrupted by the Chairman, CP Radhakrishnan. The Chairman cited rules and regulations, stating that quoting from an unpublished book was not allowed in the House. Kharge argued that the book was already in the public domain, and therefore, he should be allowed to quote from it.
Despite Kharge’s arguments, the Chairman remained firm in his decision, refusing to allow him to quote from the book. This led to a heated exchange between Kharge and the Chairman, with other Opposition MPs joining in to support their colleague. The Opposition MPs argued that the restrictions imposed by the Chairman were unfair and that they were being stifled from raising important issues in the House.
The controversy surrounding the unpublished memoir by General Naravane has been brewing for some time now. The book, which is expected to be published soon, is said to contain several sensitive revelations about the Indian Army and its operations. The government has been trying to restrict the publication of the book, citing national security concerns. However, the Opposition parties have been arguing that the book is an important work that sheds light on the inner workings of the Army and the government’s handling of national security issues.
The incident in the Rajya Sabha is the latest in a series of controversies surrounding the book. Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had tried to quote from the book in the Lok Sabha, but was not allowed to do so by the Speaker. The Opposition parties have been protesting the restrictions imposed on them, arguing that they have the right to raise important issues in the House and to quote from relevant sources.
The walkout by Opposition MPs is a significant development, as it highlights the deepening divide between the government and the Opposition. The Opposition parties have been accusing the government of trying to stifle dissent and restrict their freedom to raise important issues in the House. The government, on the other hand, has been arguing that the Opposition is trying to create unnecessary controversy and disrupt the functioning of the House.
The incident also raises important questions about the role of Parliament in holding the government accountable. The Opposition parties have a crucial role to play in scrutinizing the government’s actions and policies, and in raising important issues that affect the country. However, if the Opposition is restricted from raising these issues and quoting from relevant sources, it undermines the very purpose of Parliament.
In conclusion, the incident in the Rajya Sabha highlights the growing tensions between the government and the Opposition. The restrictions imposed on Opposition MPs, including the refusal to allow them to quote from an unpublished memoir, are a cause for concern. The Opposition parties have a right to raise important issues and to quote from relevant sources, and the government should not try to stifle them. As the controversy surrounding the unpublished memoir by General Naravane continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the government and the Opposition will navigate this complex issue.
The incident has sparked a heated debate about the freedom of speech and the role of Parliament in holding the government accountable. The Opposition parties have vowed to continue their fight for the right to raise important issues and to quote from relevant sources. The government, on the other hand, has argued that it is committed to upholding the rules and regulations of the House.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it is clear that the incident in the Rajya Sabha is just the tip of the iceberg. The deeper issues of freedom of speech, the role of Parliament, and the government’s handling of national security issues will continue to be debated and discussed in the days and weeks to come.
News source: https://x.com/PTI_News/status/2019299438746091906
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