Chaos gripped the Rajya Sabha on Thursday as opposition forces clashed head-on with the ruling alliance over a perceived affront in the Lok Sabha. The flashpoint: denial of speaking privileges to the Opposition Leader during crucial debates on domestic and global hotspots. Government spokespersons slammed the cross-house protest as rule-breaking, emphasizing each chamber’s standalone authority.
Mallikarjun Kharge, steering the opposition offensive, invoked democratic ethos and constitutional bicameral equality. ‘Silencing one house echoes across Parliament,’ he charged, framing the episode as an orchestrated clampdown on dissent. His intervention set the tone for a heated standoff.
Kiren Rijiju parried with accusations of tactical sabotage aimed at the Prime Minister’s address. Questioning the opportune timing, he clarified no parliamentary statute binds the houses’ schedules. ‘Prove it with a rule book entry,’ Rijiju dared, underscoring allocated time for the Lok Sabha leader.
Nirmala Sitharaman escalated decorum concerns, flagging ‘lynching’ as inflammatory and countering with a Congress-era Rajasthan lynching reference. ‘Parliament demands civility,’ she implored. Shouts drowned proceedings, prompting an opposition exodus.
Labeling it an anti-democratic outrage, walkout participants rallied for voice and rights. The treasury defended protocol rigorously. This high-stakes drama not only derailed the day’s agenda but spotlights deepening polarization, challenging lawmakers to restore order and advance the people’s business in the face of unrelenting partisanship.