Rajya Sabha leader Piyush Goyal, while traveling abroad, targeted the opposition Congress, especially its leader Rahul Gandhi, for criticizing India’s democracy, while senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge refuted the government’s allegations on procedural and political grounds.
The debate escalated to such an extent that the Rajya Sabha session was adjourned for the day before the lunch break. A similar scene was witnessed in the Lok Sabha as well, due to which the proceedings of the House were adjourned before the scheduled time. As a result, there was no hearing on the opposition’s demand for raising the issue of the Hindenburg Report and setting up a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).
Goyal said, ‘The whole country saw how an opposition leader hurt the sentiments of Indians on foreign soil. He should apologize to the country and every Indian. He should apologize to the army. He should come to the house and apologize to the army, media and judiciary for his remarks on democracy.
He said, ‘He (Rahul) should understand what democracy is. Democracy was in danger due to the suspension of fundamental rights during the Emergency. who did this? His party did this. Democracy is in danger when the voice of media is suppressed, freedom of expression is suppressed. His party has done all this.
Kharge, on the other hand, cited rules to say that Goyal’s allegations should be dropped as Rahul is not a member of the Rajya Sabha and the Congress party and the rules of the House do not allow naming a person who is not a member of the House. . To this Goyal replied that he had not taken the name of Rahul Gandhi.
Referring to Goyal’s remarks on democracy, Kharge said, “The whole country knows what is happening in India.” He alleged that democracy in India is not working as per the constitution and democratic ethos. Amidst loud interruptions from the ruling party, he said, ‘Modi sahib had said in China that there is no democracy in India. There was nothing left in India.
Citing the last two decisions, Kharge said that no member of the house can accuse the member of the other house. Amid protests by both the ruling party and the opposition, Dhankhar said he would announce his decision on Tuesday and the House was adjourned till then.
Congress chief whip Jairam Ramesh later said, “Today, Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha Piyush Goyal was allowed to speak for some time on the remarks made by a member of the Lok Sabha.” It is against all rules. Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge was not allowed to present his case.
Later addressing a press conference, Kharge said that the Chairman used “rules” in a selective manner. Kharge said that Goyal used objectionable language and alleged that he tried to insult democracy.
Kharge said, ‘They (BJP) are strangling democracy. There is no place for constitution and democracy under the rule of Modi and BJP. They are misusing every autonomous body and agency. No notice, no rule of law and he (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) is running the country like a dictator and at the same time he is talking about democracy, patriotism and country’s prestige.
Committee not constituted for investigation
In parallel written replies (which have not been debated), the government said it has not constituted any committee to look into the allegations leveled against the Adani group, but added that the stock market regulator, SEBI, is looking into the matter. The market is probing the allegations leveled against the group.
