Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar on Saturday hit out at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for allegedly “insulting” former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, who was conferred Bharat Ratna a day ago. Vice President Dhankhar said he would not “tolerate any insult to Chaudhary Charan Singh”.
According to an India Today report, the commotion started when Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Jayant Chaudhary, the grandson of former PM Chaudhary Charan Singh, started speaking and thanked the government for honouring his grandfather. The RLD on Friday announced its alliance with the BJP for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
“I am indebted. Only a government which is rooted to ground realities, understands the voices from the ground and strengthens them, can honour ‘Dhartiputra’ Charan Singh with Bharat Ratna,” Jayant Chaudhary said.
Congress members objected to his speech and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Mallikarjun Kharge demanded to know the rule under which the RLD leader was allowed to speak in the House.
“There is no debate on honouring leaders with Bharat Ratna. I salute everyone. But if a member wants to raise an issue, you (chairman) ask ‘under which rule’. (I want to know) under which rule he (Jayant Chaudhary) has been allowed to speak. Give permission to us also. On one side hand, you talk about rules…You have discretion… that discretion should be used judiciously and not when you want…,” Kharge said. A huge uproar erupted in the House following the Congress chief’s remark.
Responding to Kharge’s objection, VP Dhankar said, “Don’t use this language. I will not tolerate insult to Chaudhary Charan Singh. He stands for impeccable public life, unimpeachable integrity, and commitment to farmers.”
Later, Kharge said he “salutes” all recipients of Bharat Ratna, former prime ministers PV Narasimha Rao and Charan Singh and agriculture scientist MS Swaminathan.
Jayant Singh, on the other hand, said he was shocked by the “disrespect” to Charan Singh being shown in the House by the Congress.
“I have been in the opposition for 10 years, I have been sitting on this side of this house for some time, the working style of the present government also has a glimpse of the thoughts of Chaudhary Charan Singh. When PM Modi addresses the issues of toilets in villages, when the GoI makes women empowerment its platform and creates awareness in the villages, I remember Chaudhary Charan Singh ji’s quote in it,” he said.
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