Opposition MPs in the Rajya Sabha continued their protest on Tuesday, raising slogans and demanding a discussion on alleged police “brutality” during the July 20 demonstration in Delhi.
NEW DELHI — Opposition MPs in the Rajya Sabha continued their protest on Tuesday, raising slogans and demanding a discussion on alleged police “brutality” during the July 20 demonstration in Delhi.
The disruption occurred as members sought to raise matters with the permission of the Chair.
Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan, finding no improvement in the orderly conduct of business, adjourned the House till 2 p.m. The adjournment came shortly after he allowed Rwangwra Narzari of UPP (L) from Assam to raise a matter with the permission of the House.
Opposition members immediately began sloganeering, creating a ruckus that made it impossible to continue proceedings.
Narzari delivered his statement in the Bodo language before the House was adjourned.
Earlier in the day, several papers were laid on the table of the House by Anupriya Patel, B.L. Verma, Shantanu Thakur and Harsh Malhotra.
Reports of the Department-related to the Parliamentary Standing Committee were also presented by Sumitra Balmiki.
In addition, Pankaj Choudhary, Minister of State for Finance, and Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, made statements related to their respective departments.
The Opposition’s insistence on a debate over the police action during the July 20 protest in the national capital has repeatedly disrupted the functioning of the Upper House.
Members have been pressing for an immediate discussion on the issue, alleging excessive use of force by the Delhi Police.
The Chair has maintained that while members are free to raise matters of public importance with permission, the House must function in an orderly manner.
With the House adjourned till the afternoon, the fate of further legislative and other business scheduled for the day remained uncertain.
The continuing standoff underscores the tense atmosphere in the Upper House, where the Opposition’s demand for a debate on the Delhi Police action continues to take centre stage over the listed agenda.