RS Chairman warns against displaying placards, trooping into well; House adjourned till 2 pm
New Delhi, Aug 5
As the Rajya Sabha resumed proceedings on Wednesday after a brief adjournment following the Opposition's protest, Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan made two clear observations at the outset. He told members that no one is allowed to enter the Well of the House and that placards are not permitted as part of protests that disrupt the proceedings.
"My request to all the members is that you should cooperate with the Chair and never try to enter the Well of the House and never try to show the placards. These two things you have to follow. If any member is not following these two instructions, I will not be able to give them (those who do the above act) any chance (to speak), and I will be forced to take action. Kindly don't do these two things. This is my humble request," the Chairman urged the members.
Amid continuous Opposition sloganeering demanding that the Home Minister come to the House ("Grih Mantri Sadan Mein Aao"), the Chairman allowed Question Hour to proceed.
During Question Hour, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari responded to questions on National Highway projects.
Nominated member Sudha Murthy raised the issue of the rising number of road accidents. "We have beautiful roads, but the number of accidents has increased. This is not because of the roads, but because drivers do not drive properly," she said, while seeking details on the procedures for issuing driving licences in a manner that could help reduce accidents on national highways.
Responding amid the protests, Gadkari said, "The most important aspect is the human behaviour." He stated that the government is taking several initiatives to improve driver training and promote better road discipline.
The Chairman's firm stand on maintaining order and the exchange on road safety marked the early part of the day's proceedings in the Upper House.
The Chairman, after taking a few questions, adjourned the House till 2 p.m. amid sloganeering from Opposition members.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The Chairman is absolutely right - if you don't follow rules, why should you get a chance to speak? But honestly, the entire nation is watching this drama unfold. We need leaders who focus on policy, not theatrics. It's high time our parliament functions properly, at least during Question Hour!
As someone who follows Indian politics from abroad, it's frustrating to see the same pattern - opposition demanding attention and the chair trying to maintain order. Sudha Murthy's point about driver behavior is spot on though. India's road safety needs serious behavioral change, not just better infrastructure.
Respecting the Chair is fundamental to parliamentary democracy. If you disagree with the government, bring a motion, move an amendment, but don't disrupt the House with placards. The Chairman's request is reasonable and firm. Kudos to him for running Question Hour despite the noise!
I'm all for the Opposition raising concerns, but there's a time and place for everything. The Home Minister isn't in the House, so what's the point of this persistent clamor? Let the government respond in due course. This constant disruption only hurts public interest - look at Sudha Murthy's sensible intervention on road accidents.
The Chairman's instruction is clear - no placards, no Well entry. But honestly, it reflects a deeper problem. Our parliament has become a place of confrontation, not deliberation. Whether it's the opposition's persistent protest or the government's stance, ordinary citizens like us just want policies that improve our lives - not daily TV footage of chaos.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.