'Control Your People Or...': VP Dhankhar, LoP Kharge Argue Over Rajya Sabha Chairman's Power. WATCH

A visibly upset Dhankhar was seen trying to maintain order in the house, asking Opposition members to calm down.

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge

Source : Sansad TV

Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday slammed the Opposition for disrupting Parliamentary proceedings during a discussion on the Bharat Ratna award for former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh. A visibly upset Dhankhar was seen trying to maintain order in the house, asking Opposition members to calm down as he asked Congress leader Jairam Ramesh: "Why are you shouting like a commando?"

Earlier in the proceedings, Opposition raised objections as RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary was allowed to speak about his grandfather being honoured with Bharat Ratna Award by VP Dhankar. 

After the objections, Dhankar called out Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge, and stated: "Either control your people or rise and address the house." 

'Use Your Discretion Judiciously': LoP Kharge 

Responding to Dhankar, LoP Kharge stated: "We have no contention regarding the personalites honoured with Bharat Ratna Award. We salute them all. However, whenever any topic for discussion is undertaken in the house, you ask us (opposition) to inform you about the rules. I also wanted to ask you that under which rule did you give him permission to speak." 

Kharge further asked Dhankar to not discriminate and use the discretion bestowed upon him "judiciously." 

Dhankhar-Kharge face-off over discretionary powers of Rajya Sabha chairman#Parliament pic.twitter.com/xxcDI9BZ4f

— Abhishek Chakraborty (@deshbhaktbong) February 10, 2024

Slamming Rajya Sabha Chairman, LoP Kharge asked Dhankar that he should be bringing the topic of Bharat Ratna Awards under the agenda before allowing RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary to speak about his grandfather. "It is not fair. If you want to take this up under discussion, you should follow rules," he stated. 

Hitting back at Kharge, VP Dhankar stated: "You virtually insulted Chaudhary Charan Singh, you insulted his legacy. You had no time for Bharat Ratna Chaudhary Charan Singh. You are hurting every farmer in the country by creating such an environment inside the House on the issue of Chaudhary Charan Singh. Our heads should go in shame..."

#WATCH | Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar speaks to LoP Mallikarjun Kharge and other Congress leaders, says "You virtually insulted Chaudhary Charan Singh, you insulted his legacy. You had no time for Bharat Ratna Chaudhary Charan Singh. You are hurting every farmer in the… pic.twitter.com/jQpeEoUZ80

— ANI (@ANI) February 10, 2024

Earlier, RLD Chief had said: "The decision taken to award Chaudhary Charan Singh with Bharat Ratna, it is a big decision...Yesterday, people celebrated Diwali after the announcement...Yesterday, the farmers distributed sweets in Connaught Place. This only shows that the decision was not only limited to his family members but is a decision to strengthen the farmers..."