Pandemonium erupted in the Rajya Sabha during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech on Wednesday, culminating in a walkout by the Opposition, which was admonished by both Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar and the PM himself for their act.
“The country is watching that those who spread lies do not have the strength to hear the truth. Those who do not have the courage to face truth, do not have courage to listen to the answers to questions that were raised in these discussions. They are insulting the Upper House, the glorious tradition of the Upper House,” PM Modi said.
The Opposition alleged that their Leader in the Upper House, Mallikarjun Kharge, was not allowed to speak, and thundered “LoP, LoP” even as Modi continued with his speech.
Dhankar, the Rajya Sabha chairman, condemned the Opposition’s behaviour. “…the LoP was given adequate time to speak without any interruptions. Today, they did not just leave the House, they have left behind dignity. Today, they did not show me their back, they showed it to the Constitution of India. They did not insult me or you, they insulted the oath of the Constitution that they took. There can be no bigger insult to the Constitution of India than this…I condemn their conduct…
“It is an occasion where they have challenged the Indian Constitution. They outraged the spirit of Indian Constitution, they have disregarded the oath they have undertaken…Indian Constitution is not something to hold in your hands, it is the book to way of life. I hope that they will self-introspect and walk the path of duty,” Dhankar said.
#WATCH | After Opposition MPs walk out of the Rajya Sabha while PM speaks on Motion of Thanks to President’s Address, Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar says, “…I urged them the LoP was given adequate time to speak without any interruptions. Today, they… pic.twitter.com/Am2HflpoVc— ANI (@ANI) July 3, 2024
Later, Congress leader Kharge said the Opposition walked out because the PM had “said some false things in his address”. He said he wanted to put his point across, but was not allowed.
In the House, the PM harped on his vision for India, his government’s commitment towards eradicating poverty, and other issues in his reply to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address in the House without the Opposition. Modi said the 2024 general election verdict showed people had rejected propaganda and voted for performance.
On Tuesday, when PM Modi spoke in the Lok Sabha, the Opposition shouted slogans, prompting a rebuke directed at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi by Speaker Om Birla.
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