New Delhi: During Wednesday's Zero Hour, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge requested Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar to restore the expunged parts of his speech on the Motion of Thanks on the president's address.
Kharge, the leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha, said that two pages of his February 2 speech were removed, leading to a distortion of intent. He emphasized that his speech did not violate any rules or target individuals in positions of authority, reported PTI.
"I had raised certain points...they have been removed from the record," he said.
Kharge cited several rules to support his argument against the removal of parts of his speech and urged the chairman to restore the expunged portions in the House proceedings. "I register my strong objection...I would like to request you to restore the expunged part in the House proceedings," Kharge, who also gave a written note to the chairman on the matter, said, as per the PTI report.
Chairman Dhankhar assured Kharge that he would review the matter and provide his ruling.
Additionally, Dhankhar mentioned a book on 'unparliamentary words' and said that he would be happy to constitute a committee to revisit the list of 'unparliamentary expressions,' the PTI report added.
Dhankhar stated that Kharge's written communication highlighted four points, including the expungement of an "unparliamentary" word and certain remarks made after the Chair announced "that nothing will go on record". He assured that he would provide his ruling on the matter after reviewing Kharge's points.
"I have received a written communication from the Leader of the Opposition. I have gone through it. I will give my ruling on it," he said, according to PTI.
Earlier in the day, Dhankhar announced that the House would convene on Saturday, February 10, to complete essential government business. There will be no Zero Hour and Question Hour on Saturday.