A fresh storm has erupted over the conduct of Members of Parliament, with Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju launching a sharp attack on the opposition, accusing them of disrespecting the dignity of the Lok Sabha. The allegations stem from heated protests that disrupted proceedings last week, highlighting the ongoing and intensifying tensions between the treasury and opposition benches.
Addressing the media, Minister Rijiju specifically targeted Congress MPs, detailing an incident he described as "shameful." He alleged that women MPs from the Congress party crossed the floor, advanced towards the treasury benches, and even reached near the Prime Minister’s seat in the well of the House during a protest.
"This is a shameful act," Rijiju stated, emphasising that such behaviour was antithetical to the principles of parliamentary democracy. "Their conduct reflects that they don't have any respect for the dignity of the House."
The Minister further informed that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs, particularly its women parliamentarians, have submitted a formal and strong complaint to the Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla, regarding the conduct of the Congress MPs. This move signals an intent to pursue the matter through parliamentary disciplinary channels.
Adding a new dimension to the controversy, Rijiju accused the Congress members of compounding their offence by celebrating the disruption on social media. He claimed that they were "celebrating on their social media accounts and claiming that women MPs scared the Prime Minister."
"This boastfulness about intimidating behaviour inside the temple of democracy is even more condemnable," the Minister asserted, framing the social media posts as an admission of intent to disrupt and intimidate rather than protest legitimately.
The incident underscores the deepening chasm in India's parliamentary proceedings, where protests, though not uncommon, are increasingly becoming a flashpoint over the limits of democratic dissent. The treasury benches label such actions as deliberate obstruction and a breach of privilege, while the opposition argues they are necessary tools to voice dissent against the government, especially when they feel their voices are being muzzled.
The Lok Sabha Speaker now faces the task of navigating this complaint. His ruling could set a significant precedent for what constitutes acceptable protest within the hallowed halls of Parliament. As both sides dig in, the core issue remains the balance between the right to protest and the imperative to maintain the dignity and decorum of parliamentary institutions—a balance that appears increasingly fragile in the current political climate.
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