Rajya Sabha Ruckus: Congress Refuses To Be Part Of Proposed Inquiry Committee, Kharge Writes To Venkaiah Naidu

Mallikarjun Kharge revealed that he has spoken to other opposition parties and almost all of them have rejected the inquiry committee proposal. 

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New Delhi: The Congress party has refused to become a part of the proposed inquiry committee of MPs being constituted to investigate the ruckus that took place in the House during the monsoon session on August 11.

Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge wrote a letter to Rajya Sabha chairperson M Venkaiah Naidu in this regard, news agency ANI cited sources as saying.

"Constituting an inquiry committee on the incidents of August 11, 2021, seems to be designed to intimidate MPs into silence. It will not only suppress the voices of the people's representatives but will deliberately brush aside all those that are uncomfortable to the government," he wrote, as reported by ANI.

"I am, therefore, unequivocally against constituting the inquiry committee and the question of a party proposing the name of a member from a party for nomination to this committee does not arise," he added. 

The Congress leader stated that the opposition was keen to participate in discussions, alleging that it was the government that obstructed the smooth functioning of the session. 

Kharge reiterated the opposition’s allegations as he wrote that the government not only brushed aside the opposition parties' demand for discussion but also rushed through crucial bills and policies, which could potentially have a grave and adverse effect on the country. 

The leader of the opposition pointed out that his party gave multiple notices under the rules of procedure, hoping to have constructive deliberations on the state of India's economy, farmers protest, inflation, rise in prices of petrol and diesel and other essential commodities, unemployment, China's violation of India's territorial integrity, the Pegasus and Rafael scandals among a host of other national issues. 

"It also bypassed standing committees and refused to have any meaningful discussion on bills, policies and issues. Additionally, senior ministers were largely absent from Parliament while opposition MPs were suspended. In doing so, the government undermined the sovereignty of Parliament," the letter read.

Mallikarjun Kharge revealed that he has spoken to other opposition parties in this regard and almost all of them have rejected the inquiry committee proposal. 

The committee pertains to the turmoil witnessed in the Rajya Sabha on August 11, wherein the opposition alleged misbehaviour by marshals while the ruling party alleged violence against parliament staff and others by opposition MPs. 

Two Congress women MPs, Phulo Devi and Chayya Varma had claimed that they were manhandled during the ruckus in the House.

An official complaint has been lodged against the MPs who created ruckus in Rajya Sabha during the recently concluded monsoon session, ANI cited official sources as saying. 

At the Rajya Sabha Chairperson and Union ministers' meeting, it was decided that a committee will be formed and action will be taken after discussion. 

Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned sine die two days ahead of the scheduled end of the Monsoon session on August 13.

(With Agency Inputs)