Rahul Gandhi's London speech rocks Parliament

Parliament on Monday was adjourned abruptly when the Opposition raised an uproar and protested against the Government’s demand for an apology by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his recent remarks on the state of Indian democracy in London.

The two Houses of Parliament had resumed their sittings for the second part of the Budget Session this morning, but the proceedings turned noisy after the Treasury Benches raised the issue of the Congress leader’s remarks, saying he should apologise for his observations.

In the Rajya Sabha, Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge said that comments made by members of the Lok Sabha could not be raised in the Rajya Sabha, and cited earlier rulings in his support. He said comments made by Leader of the House Piyush Goyal regarding Gandhi’s speech should be therefore expunged.

Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, after hearing different views, said that he would give his ruling tomorrow and adjourned the House for the day.

After a quiet start at 11 am, the two Houses had such stormy scenes that they were adjourned within minutes for the post-lunch sitting from 2 pm. There was no peace however as the Treasury Benches reiterated their demand later.

Amid noisy scenes, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary presented the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir’s Budget in the Lok Sabha.

Just as Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi started speaking on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s recent speech in London, the Opposition members rushed to the well of the House in protest leading to a ruckus.

Joshi said where was Gandhi’s concern for democracy when he tore off an Ordinance document during the UPA rule.

The Minister said Gandhi had cast aspersions on the Speaker saying that his microphone was switched off in the House.

The Speaker said people of the country had deep faith in its democracy. Speakers of Parliaments all over the world agreed India has a strong and empowered democracy, Birla said.

Following this, Lok Sabha Speaker Birla adjourned the House till 2 pm. The Rajya Sabha was also adjourned by Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar as there were similar scenes created by protesting Opposition MPs.

Slamming Rahul Gandhi for “insulting India in London,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh demanded in the Lok Sabha that the Congress leader should be asked to “apologise before the House.”

Raising the issue just before the Question Hour was to start, Singh said “Rahul Gandhi, who is a member of this House, insulted India in London. I demand that his statements should be condemned by all members of this House and he should be asked to apologise before the House.”

The Defence Minister said Gandhi had asked foreign countries to intervene and “save” Indian democracy. He said the whole House should condemn Congress leader’s remarks and requested the Speaker to direct him to apologise before Parliament.

Leader of House in the Rajya Sabha Piyush Goyal, without naming anyone, said a Congress leader had brought down the dignity of the Indian democracy outside India. He said “this is a matter of grave concern and he should be strongly condemned.”

Goyal spoke on the issue just after the official papers were laid in morning and again when the House reassembled post-lunch after the first adjournment. The Congress members rose at their seats to protest on the matter.

Goyal said India was today leader of the G20 and the whole world had expressed appreciation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.

When Kharge said Goyal had referred to a speech by a member of the Lok Sabha, Goyal said he had not named anyone, and it were the Congress members in the House mentioning Gandhi’s name. Kharge cited two earlier rulings which had barred comments in the House regarding members of the other House.

Kharge was supported by Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader K Keshava Rao who drew the attention of the Chairman towards the rulings cited by Kharge. Rao said it was normal for political leaders to be invited to foreign universities for speeches and these were made quite freely.

All through the proceedings, while the Treasury Benches shouted that Gandhi should apologise for his remarks, the Opposition members attacked the Government raising other issues in their slogans.