'We Are Becoming A Laughing Stock': Dhankhar Adjourns Rajya Sabha Over Demands To Discuss Manipur, Bangladesh

Rajya Sabha was adjourned after Opposition MPs insisted on discussing Manipur violence, Hindu priest's arrest in Bangladesh, Sambhal violence, and Delhi crime rate under Rule 267.

Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar in Rajya Sabha on Friday.

Source : Sansad TV

Following demands to discuss the Manipur violence and the arrest of a Hindu priest in Bangladesh by the Opposition MPs in Rajya Sabha, the House was adjourned by a visibly irritated Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. The Opposition MPs demanded discussions on the violence in Sambhal, Manipur violence, Delhi crime rate, and the arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Das in Bangladesh.

Mentioning the demands, Dhankhar said: "These issues have been raised repeatedly during the week and we have already lost three days... There should have been a vindication of our oath that we perform our duties as expected. The loss of time and opportunities has dealt an enormous setback to the people at large."

'Rule 267 is Being Weaponised!'
-#RajyaSabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar#ParliamentWinterSession pic.twitter.com/x19Ak5SdeW

— Abhishek Chakraborty (@deshbhaktbong) November 29, 2024

He further said: "Rule 267 is being weaponised as a mechanism of disruption... This cannot be appreciated. I am anguished and pained that we are dishonouring the people of this country. People are ridiculing us. We are virtually becoming a laughing stock."

Saying this he adjourned the house amid sloganeering by the MPs in Rajya Sabha. The House was adjourned till 11 AM on Monday, December 2.

What Is Rule 267 Of Parliament?

Rule 267 has been a point of contention between the government and the Opposition. The rule allows members to move for the suspension of business in either House to discuss urgent matters. While the government alleges that Rule 267 is being misused to get the Houses adjourned, the Opposition claims the Centre is only trying to run away from pressing matters concerning the public.

The government has its own list and agenda for the Business of Parliament. However, the Speaker or Chairman can suspend the scheduled business under Rule 267 to allow an MP to raise an important issue of public well-being. However, as the government tries to complete its schedule of business relevant to the nation, the Opposition tries to put forth urgent people's issues. This often leads to chaos in Parliament and leads to numerous adjournments throughout the session, bringing down the overall productivity.