Prime Minister Narendra Modi could not respond to the Motion of Thanks for the President’s Address in the Lok Sabha due to continual interruptions that prompted numerous adjournments. The disorder was caused by opposition protests, mostly by the Congress, against the suspension of eight members of the House and restrictions imposed on the Leader of the Opposition during his remarks.
What initiated the disturbance?
The interruptions started when Rahul Gandhi was referencing the unpublished memoirs of General M.M. Naravane while discussing the 2020 clashes between India and China at their northerly intersection. He claimed the central government was attempting to impede his comments concerning national security. “the governing party does not want to hear the facts” and that he purposely is being silenced. He stated that he intends to via presented a copy of General Naravane’s book to the Prime Minister, arguing that the book supports political indecision during the Ladakh confrontation.
Following contentious discussions over BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s use of textual references on criticism of the Gandhi family during a prior session of the Lok Sabha, the speaker decided that referencing books that were not a part of House business and against the rules as per Rule 349. Dubey was asked multiple times to take back his statement to no avail, prompting fierce protests from the opposition members throughout the House, ending in an adjournment once again.
After the House reassembled in the evening for Prime Minister Modi’s response, the same opposition members re-entered the House to continue their protests, entering the well of the House, yelling slogans, and preventing those seated in the treasury benches from entering. Multiple members took to displaying commercial signs demanding fairness in the House.
The acting speaker shortly thereafter adjourned the House for the day, resulting in the prime minister’s speech being cancelled. According to reports, the government is likely to attempt to pass the motion of thanks to the president without the prime minister’s response in the Lok Sabha and will instead provide a response in the Rajya Sabha.
Allegations from the Opposition
Following the adjournment, Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter claiming that Prime Minister Modi was “afraid” to face up to the facts in Parliament.
His sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that Prime Minister Modi was “afraid”, as “he is a coward” for not wanting to go into the House.
Congress Members of Parliament then conducted a protest outside the Parliament premises, demanding that Mr. Gandhi be granted the opportunity to make his remarks freely.
Government’s Response to the Allegations
The Opposition’s actions were described by members of the ruling party as having disrupted the functioning of Parliament. Union Ministers pointed out that other Members of Parliament (MP), including those from regional parties, were not being allowed an opportunity to take part in the discussions because of the demonstrations.
They stated that the purpose of the President’s Address is to have a constructive discussion, not a political confrontation.
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What Next?
With the Lok Sabha now stalled, the next area of focus is the Rajya Sabha which is expected to allow Prime Minister Modi to respond to opposition claims concerning the government’s inability to defend its position on national security.
The whole situation demonstrates another example of how increasing political divisions between political parties concerning national security, respect for, and the limits of protests in the highest legislature of India will create ongoing tension in Parliament, as long as political standoffs continue to adversely influence how Parliament operates.
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