New Delhi, April 3 (HS): Today, opposition members in the Rajya Sabha disrupted proceedings over BJP MP Anurag Thakur's remarks about Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge made in the Lok Sabha the previous day, ultimately leading to a walkout. As the session commenced, Kharge expressed his dissatisfaction with Thakur's criticisms, labeling them as false and contemptuous after a long political career. He highlighted that despite Thakur’s later withdrawal of his comments under pressure, the damage was done, amplified by media and social media dissemination. Kharge insisted that if Thakur cannot substantiate his claims, he should resign from Parliament, offering to do the same if Thakur proved his allegations.

Kharge referenced the presence of HD Devegowda in the House and noted that he had never faced such disrespectful comments in any assembly, ensuring his integrity throughout his career. This incited objections from BJP members, causing turmoil in the House, despite Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju's attempt to address the situation. In response to the chaos, Kharge requested the Chairman to seek an apology from the Leader of the House for Thakur's comments.

Amid the uproar, the Chairman initiated zero-hour proceedings, following which Congress members and other opposition parties staged a walkout. The Chairman remarked that investigating such issues hinges on parliamentary privileges, indicating that members enjoy constitutional protection for statements made during sessions, complicating potential actions against them. He acknowledged the challenges posed by rapid media dissemination in the digital age and reiterated the importance of maintaining the House's integrity. He recalled past incidents where reputations were similarly maligned and expressed regret over the persistence of such contentious remarks. He urged members to refrain from turning isolated incidents into larger controversies.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar