A significant uproar gripped the Lok Sabha on Thursday, with Congress MP Shashi Tharoor demanding that Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi be allowed to express himself without interruption. The objections raised against Gandhi’s input during the President’s address have precipitated a grave parliamentary deadlock, intensifying political friction.
Tharoor, reacting to the pandemonium, clarified the innocuous nature of Gandhi’s statement. ‘Give the Leader of Opposition his say,’ he implored. ‘It was about something already out in a magazine. No hidden facts. He planned a quick mention before delving into other address elements. The over-the-top backlash and silencing have escalated it unnecessarily into a big parliamentary row.’
This confrontation amplifies opposition claims of eroded speaking privileges under the current regime, casting shadows on procedural integrity.
Tharoor also opened up about his own setback—a hairline fracture from falling outside Parliament the previous day. ‘Slipped out of Parliament yesterday. Ended up with a hairline fracture, unluckily,’ he revealed.
Displaying characteristic grit, he committed to full engagement: routine House attendance and next week’s committee duties, wheelchair-assisted if needed. Previously, he had apologized for missing party deliberations due to essential medical imaging and hospital trips.
As disruptions persist over the President’s address, Tharoor’s intervention highlights simmering tensions. The opposition’s resolve against perceived curtailments could extend the stalemate, compelling a reevaluation of how India’s Parliament accommodates diverse viewpoints in pursuit of national discourse.