Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, cabinet ministers and AAP MLAs on Wednesday wore black bands in protest against the Centre’s communication to the Speaker, asking him not to admit any question raised by legislators in the House on reserved subjects.
Last week, the Ministry of Law advised the Lt Governor’s office to communicate to the Speaker that he should not admit questions related to reserved subjects such as public order, police, services and land, with the departments concerned refusing to answer questions on this ground.
Goel said the central government has “insulted” the Delhi Assembly with the directive.
As the House proceedings began, AAP MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj said he has not received a reply of his question pertaining to Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash moving a court against Question and Reference Committee and Privilege Committee.
Responding to Bharadwaj’s concern, Goel said out of 40 questions, the House has not received answers of 17 questions as the departments concerned have denied answering on ‘reserved subject’.
Goel forwarded the matter to the Question and Reference Committee of the House.
“It is unfortunate that the law ministry has issued such directions. It is a very dangerous incident in the history of Independent India. The Centre’s move is highly condemnable…I want to sit with black band as mark of protest,” he said.
Protesting the Speaker’s decision, BJP MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa said he can not wear black band as the former was a constitutional body.
“You (Speaker) are starting a new tradition in the country as Speaker is the constitutional body. Hence, you should not wear black bands. It is not good for the country,” he said.
During the Question Hour, Sisodia told the House that several questions were left un-answered answered by the departments.
AAP MLA Vishesh Ravi called the Lt Governor “dictator” in the House.