What is the row over Oppn’s allegation of CISF’s presence in RS?
The Parliament of India is the supreme legislative body of the country, where the elected representatives of the people gather to discuss and make laws. However, the functioning of the Parliament is not without its challenges and controversies. Recently, a heated debate arose over the presence of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel in the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament). The controversy began when Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that CISF personnel were present in the Well of the House and claimed that they were being deployed to prevent the Opposition from protesting. However, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju refuted these allegations, stating that it is clearly on record that only marshals are allowed in the House.
The controversy began on Friday, when Kharge, the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, made the allegations during a press conference. He claimed that the CISF personnel were present in the Well of the House and were trying to intimidate the Opposition members. Kharge alleged that this was a clear attempt to silence the Opposition and prevent them from raising their voices against the government’s policies.
However, Rijiju, who is also the Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, refuted these allegations. He stated that it is clearly on record that only marshals are allowed in the House, and that the CISF personnel were not present on the day Kharge was referring to. Rijiju added that even on the day Kharge was referring to, it was the marshals who were present in the House.
The controversy has sparked a heated debate over the role of the CISF in Parliament. Critics of the government have accused the government of trying to suppress the voices of the Opposition by deploying the CISF in the House. On the other hand, the government has maintained that the CISF is only responsible for securing the Parliament building and that their presence does not constitute an attempt to intimidate the Opposition.
The CISF is a specialized force responsible for the security of various critical infrastructure and institutions, including airports, seaports, and nuclear power plants. In recent years, the CISF has been deployed in Parliament to provide additional security cover to the MPs and the Parliament building.
The deployment of the CISF in Parliament has been a subject of controversy in the past. In 2017, the CISF was deployed in Parliament after a series of incidents, including the death of an MP, in which the security of the House was compromised. However, the Opposition parties had raised concerns over the deployment of the CISF, alleging that it was an attempt by the government to suppress the voices of the Opposition.
The current controversy has raised questions over the role of the CISF in Parliament and whether it is appropriate for the force to be deployed in the House. While the government has maintained that the CISF is only responsible for securing the Parliament building, critics have raised concerns over the potential for the force to be used to intimidate or silence the Opposition.
The controversy has also highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability in the functioning of the Parliament. The Opposition parties have demanded that the government provide a clear explanation for the deployment of the CISF in Parliament and that the force be removed from the House. The government, on the other hand, has maintained that the CISF is necessary for the security of the House and that its deployment is in accordance with the established protocols.
In conclusion, the controversy over the CISF’s presence in the Rajya Sabha is a complex issue that has raised important questions over the role of the force in Parliament and the need for greater transparency and accountability in the functioning of the House. While the government has maintained that the CISF is only responsible for securing the Parliament building, critics have raised concerns over the potential for the force to be used to intimidate or silence the Opposition. It is essential that the government provides a clear explanation for the deployment of the CISF in Parliament and that the force is removed from the House to ensure the smooth functioning of the democratic institution.
