Parliament Winter Session 2024: Amidst the uproar during the winter session of Parliament, Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge said that democracy always runs on two wheels. He said, “One wheel is the ruling party and the other is the opposition. Both are needed. The country listens to the views of MPs only when the House is in session.”
Allegation of Kharge on Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar
Posting on the social media platform I am from the party. This tradition of impartiality has been completely broken during your tenure (Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar). Today, stifling the voice of the opposition has become the rule of parliamentary procedure.”
The Congress National President alleged that violation of the decorum and morality-based traditions of Parliament has now become a routine in the Rajya Sabha. Efforts to crush democracy and defeat truth are continuing. As soldiers and protectors of the Constitution, our determination becomes stronger. We will not bow down, will not be suppressed, will not stop and will always be ready to make every sacrifice to protect the Constitution, parliamentary dignity and democracy.”
Kharge put forward important points before the country
1. Members have every right to express their views in Parliament, but the Speaker continuously interrupts the opposition and does not give them a chance to complete their views. They demand authentication from the opposition without any reason, while allowing members of the ruling party, ministers and the Prime Minister to say anything. They never stop him from telling any lies in the House or spreading any fake news, but he also asks the opposition members to authenticate the media reports and threatens to take action against them if they do not do so.
2. The Chairman has misused his powers and suspended members in bulk several times. The suspension of some members was continued even after the session was over, which was against the rules and traditions.
3. The Chairman has many times criticized the opposition leaders even outside the House. He often repeats BJP’s arguments and makes political commentary on the opposition. He teaches senior members lessons every day like school children; there is no sense of parliamentary dignity and respect for others in his behaviour.
By misusing this great position, after occupying the position, he praised his political ideologue – RSS and even said that “I am also Eklavya of RSS” which is in violation of the spirit of the Constitution.
4. The Speaker is seen giving undue flattery to the government both in the House and outside the House. Equating the Prime Minister to Mahatma Gandhi, or finding the Prime Minister’s demand for accountability wrong, we have seen all this. If the opposition walks out, we comment on it too, whereas walkout is a part of the parliamentary tradition.
5. The Speaker arbitrarily expunges parts of the speeches of opposition members. Even leaders have been giving instructions to arbitrarily and maliciously expunge important parts of the opposition’s speech. Whereas even the most objectionable statements of the members of the ruling party are allowed to remain on record.
6. The Chairman has never allowed any discussion under Rule 267. Opposition members are not even allowed to read the notice. Whereas for the last three days, members of the ruling party have been called by name and summoned on notice under Rule 267.
7. Parliament Television’s coverage during the Chairman’s tenure is completely one-sided. Most of the time only the chair and people from the ruling party are shown. Blackout any movement of the opposition. When an opposition leader speaks, the camera remains on the chair for a long time. The rules for broadcasting Sansad TV have been changed arbitrarily. Have been changed without the meeting of General Purposes Committee (GPC).
8. Short Duration Discussion and Calling Attention are rarely used now. During UPA, there were two Calling Attentions and one short duration discussion every week. Doesn’t happen now. Half an Hour Question is not even a Statutory Resolution. Not all bills are also sent to the Standing Committee. Even issues of public importance are not discussed.
9. The Chairman has taken many decisions completely arbitrarily. Whether shifting the statues or changing the watch and ward system, no one was consulted. Statue Committee meeting did not take place. There was no meeting of GPC, Rules Committee meeting does not take place now.
10. Opposition members are no longer allowed to ask questions on the statements of ministers. There was a tradition of clarification on statements in Rajya Sabha, that too has been stopped.