New Delhi: Amid a major political storm over Rahul Gandhi’s ‘murder of democracy’ remarks over the alleged uproar in the Rajya Sabha, CCTV footage on Thursday showed opposition MPs assaulting marshals in the Upper House.
Significantly, the Congress-led opposition on Wednesday accused the security personnel of the Rajya Sabha. Opposition members had created a ruckus in the Rajya Sabha during the passage of the Insurance Amendment Bill, which seeks privatization of general insurance companies.
In view of the uproar, marshals were called to the Rajya Sabha, which ultimately led to the premature end of the monsoon session of Parliament. In the CCTV footage of the Upper House, opposition MPs can be seen manhandling the marshals in Parliament.
In the video footage, marshals can be seen making human shields to prevent opposition MPs from approaching the Speaker’s podium.
#Watch CCTV footage shows opposition MPs assaulting marshals in Parliament yesterday pic.twitter.com/y7ufJOQGvT
— ANI (@ANI) 12 August 2021
Earlier on Thursday, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said that a delegation of opposition leaders met the Vice President and submitted a memorandum condemning the incident in the Upper House.
He also briefed them about the incidents in the House. The opposition condemned the incident in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday and said, “What happened in Rajya Sabha yesterday was shocking, unprecedented, sad and insulting to the dignity of the House and the respectable members of the House.”
The statement issued by 10 opposition parties said that without any provocation from the opposition, “outsiders who were not part of the security of Parliament” were brought in to “manhandle” opposition leaders and members, including women MPs. There were also those who were only opposing the government. The conduct of, “highness and strangulation of the voice.”
It said, “The opposition strongly condemns the authoritarian attitude and undemocratic actions of the government. We are committed to continue our struggle against the attack on parliamentary democracy and to agitate on issues of national importance and people’s concern.”
The Center, however, lashed out at the opposition parties for street protests in the national capital and alleged that ‘anarchy’ has always been the agenda of the opposition. Taking a jibe at the protest march by opposition leaders from Parliament to Vijay Chowk today, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said that the opposition should apologize to the country instead of shedding crocodile tears.
“People wait for their issues to be raised in Parliament. Anarchy remained the agenda of the opposition. They didn’t care about the money of the people and the taxpayers. What happened was condemnable. Instead of shedding crocodile tears, they should apologize to the nation. needed.” Thakur said while addressing a press conference here.
People wait for their issues to be raised in Parliament. Whereas anarchy remained the agenda of the opposition. He didn’t care about the money of the people, the taxpayers. What happened was condemnable. Instead of shedding crocodile tears, apologize to the country: Union Minister Anurag Thakur pic.twitter.com/XC8tVAsFky
— ANI (@ANI) 12 August 2021
Criticizing the opposition MPs, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said, “A day before yesterday, some MPs climbed the table (in Parliament). They were feeling proud of themselves. They thought they had done something good. They Tweeted after shooting it. Video. Video shooting is not allowed.”
Joshi said that the government has urged the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha to take strict action against the opposition MPs who created ruckus during the passage of the Insurance Amendment Bill.
“Rahul Gandhi said it was murder of democracy. The country can see what he did in Parliament. If he has a sense of responsibility, he should apologize to the country. We also demand from the Speaker that strict action should be taken. And this should not be repeated,” he said.
Opposition parties protested in New Delhi over the incident on Thursday. Opposition MPs were seen carrying placards of ‘Black Farm Law’. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that for the first time in the history of our country, members of Rajya Sabha were assaulted and beaten up. He also called it a murder of democracy.
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