New Delhi: Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar lashed out Tuesday as opposition MPs – who joined their Lok Sabha colleagues in staging a vociferous protest against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party – walked out of the House during a speech by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Opposition MPs walked out after Mr Dhankhar initially refused Congress boss Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leader of the Opposition, permission to intervene as Mr Modi spoke. Loud chants of “LoP ko bolne do”, or “let the LoP speak”, were heard, as were plaintive appeals from Mr Kharge, asking for permission.
As the MPs walked out, Mr Dhankhar accused them of disrespecting the Constitution.
“I am pained by this. They have not only left the House… but also their dignity. They did not show their backs to me… but to the Constitution. They have not disrespected me… they have disrespected their oath. There is nothing worse than this disrespect,” he raged.
“They have challenged the Constitution. Sitting in this chair, I am hurt to see such disrespect. They have made a joke of the Constitution. The Constitution is not just a book to hold in your hand. I hope they will reflect on this and remember their duty…” he said.
The reference to the Constitution as “not just a book to hold in your hand” has been seen by many as a swipe at opposition leaders who took their oaths while holding a copy. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi was among those to be sworn in with the Constitution in his hand.
