Mallikarjun Kharge, the president of the Congress, claimed on Wednesday that the interruption of the Rajya Sabha proceedings had “challenged” his “self-respect.” His microphone had been cut off as he was speaking. The decision was made in the midst of a commotion in the house as opposition members shouted for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide a statement over the three-month-long ethnic hostilities in Manipur. Members of the ruling BJP-led alliance started chanting “Modi, Modi” in response, which caused chaos in the parliament. The meeting was suspended till noon.
After being cut off in mid-sentence, Mr. Kharge, the Leader of the Opposition in the upper house, expressed his outrage, setting up an immediate commotion among opposition members.
Jagdeep Dhankhar, the chairman of the Rajya Sabha, pleaded with Mr. Kharge and Piyush Goyal, the leader of the House, to assist in reestablishing order. Despite their best attempts, the heated arguments persisted.
A major source of dispute that has kept parliament in a standstill since the start of the monsoon session, opposition MPs introduced notices in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha calling for discussion on the continuing situation in Manipur. This chaotic session followed.
Manickam Tagore, a Congressman, submitted an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha for discussion of the Manipur problem. Manoj Jha of the RJD and Tiruchi Siva of the DMK, both opposition Rajya Sabha MPs, have simultaneously submitted Suspension of Business Notices under Rule 267 asking for a suspension of the day’s remaining agenda to address the unrest in the troubled northeastern state.
Similar requests to prioritise discussions on Manipur’s situation have been backed by a number of other opposition MPs, including Raghav Chadha of the Aam Aadmi Party, Rajeev Shukla of the Congress, and Ranjeet Ranjan of the Congress.
A no-confidence motion against the government has also been submitted in the Lok Sabha by the opposition coalition, known as the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance.
A proposed amendment to the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, a motion for election to the council of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore, and statements from Union Minister Jitendra Singh on the implementation of Standing Committee Recommendations were all on the agenda when the parliament reconvened on the fifth day of the monsoon session at 11 am.
Although opposition parties are pushing for a debate under a rule that would necessitate a vote, the federal administration has declared its preparedness for a discussion on the Manipur situation. The government is willing to debate the matter, the Home Minister Amit Shah has assured opposition leaders in both Houses of Parliament, and he has urged bipartisan cooperation.
