The week-long impasse in the Rajya Sabha over the controversial remarks by Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti ended today after Chairman Hamid Ansari appealed to all members and political leaders to “maintain civility” at all costs in public discourse.
“This House, while acknowledging the statement of Prime Minister, made in this House on December 4, appeals to all members of Parliament, ministers and leaders of all political parties to maintain civility at all costs in public discourse for the successful functioning of Parliamentary democracy and to uphold our commitment to constitutional values,” Chairman Hamid Ansari said.
After the Chairman’s statement, the House went ahead with the scheduled business and four questions were taken up.
As the House met for the day, Opposition parties which had been stalling the Rajya Sabha since Tuesday demanding sacking of the Minister, forced adjournment of the House till noon demanding a resolution condemning hate speeches. It was also adjourned twice in the post-noon session.
Congress members wanted the House to vote on its resolution condemning and disapproving any “inflammatory and derogatory” statement by any minister or member of Parliament, but the treasury benches strongly opposed it saying no resolution can be brought without the permission of the Chair.
Nine opposition parties had demanded passage of a joint resolution that read: “This House strongly disapproved any statement made by any Member of Parliament and any Member of the Union Council of Ministers that is inflammatory, derogatory and violates the letter and spirit of the Constitution and the law of the land.”
The Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said no resolution can be moved without the Chair’s approval.
A truce was arrived at after leaders of various political parties held a meeting with the Chairman and agreed to a compromise formula to end protests over the Minister’s remarks.