High Drama in the Rajya Sabha as Tempers Soar

NEW DELHI: It was a day of high drama in the Rajya Sabha as the Opposition refused to relent on its demand that Prime Minister Narendra Modi make a statement on the communal situation in the country, particularly the issue of conversions.

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned several times before being adjourned for the day with sharp exchanges between Ministers and Opposition leader. PM Modi was present briefly in the House earlier in the day but did not respond to the Opposition’s insistence for an assurance that he would sit through the debate on the issue and make a statement of assurance ensuring action against those stoking communal fires outside Parliament.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that PM Modi had made a statement as per the demand of the Opposition clarifying remarks of the minister of state earlier. He said the Prime Minister’s statement was virtually rejected by the Opposition. He said that the government had no intention of being “arrogant’ as was being alleged by the opposition members. He said that this was clear as the Lok Sabha was proceeding normally but the “arrogance of numbers” was holding up proceedings in the Rajya Sabha.

CPI(M)’s Sitaram Yechury was on his feet immediately saying that the only reason why the Lok Sabha was proceeding normally was because of “the tyranny of the majority.”

Again later when the House reconvened at 2pm Congress leader Anand Sharma stood up on a point of order asking for the Deputy Chairman’s ruling on the fact that he had asked the Prime Minister for an assurance, and according to the rules the PM or for that matter any Minister so asked, was compelled to make a statement. Instead the PM has left the House, Sharma said.

This had Minister Mukhtar Naqvi jumping up and shouting that it was for the government to decide who would speak on its behalf. And that “we are not here to oblige you, we are not here because of you.” This led to a clash between the two sides with the Rajya Sabha being adjourned till Friday morning.

Earlier an united Opposition made it clear that it would not retract from its demand for a statement from the PM on this important issue. Congress MP Digvijay Singh said “when the secular fabric of the Constitution is being attacked who else can we listen to other than the PM.” Bahujan Samaj party leader Mayawati urged the treasury benches “not to make it a prestige issue” and ensure a statement from PM Modi.

The Insurance (Amendment) Bill, 2008 was not tabled in the Rajya Sabha. In the Lok Sabha the opposition members accused the government of rushing through with the Bills without adopting the proper procedure.