Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar convened a meeting with floor leaders of both Houses of Parliament on Thursday, following his departure from the upper house due to continuous uproar from opposition members over the disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat. Dhankhar described the situation in the House as “unprecedented” and “indigestible,” emphasizing the need for “tough decisions” and stating that “sublimity has been misunderstood as fragility, persuasion has been misunderstood as weakness.”
Earlier on Thursday, Dhankhar temporarily stepped down from presiding over the House, citing a lack of support. This incident occurred after opposition members walked out in protest over the House’s refusal to discuss Phogat’s disqualification from the Paris Olympics 2024.
“Making this sacred House a centre of anarchy, attacking Indian democracy, tarnishing the dignity of the post of the Speaker, this is not just indecent conduct, this is conduct that crosses all limits… What I have been seeing in recent days and the way the challenge is being given through words, letters, through newspapers, how many wrong comments have been made. This challenge is not being given to me but this challenge is being given to the post of the Chairman. And this challenge is being given because they (opposition) think that the person sitting on this post is not worthy of it…” Dhankar said.
Dhankar expressed anguish at opposition members showing “disrespect” to the Chair. “For some time…unable to sit, (leaving) with heavy heart,” he said. On his leaving the House, the Chairman said that he was not “running away” from his oath.
“You set aflame democratic traditions…insult to the chair,” the Rajya Sabha chairman said referring to the protests in the House.
INDIA Bloc MPs staged a protest at Parliament on Wednesday also seeking justice for wrestler Vinesh Phogat following her disqualification from the Paris Olympics 2024 hours before the final. Congress Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Surjewala also raised questions on the ‘silence’ of the government.
“The whole country is hopeful that she will rise again and fight. But why is the Government of India silent?” Congress MP Surjewala said.
MP Randeep Surjewala further urged the Indian Olympic Association should talk to the International Olympic Association talk to the International Olympic Association.
“The previous day when she won three matches, her weight was less than 50 kg. So if the weight is more on the next day then how can it affect the previous day’s win? Indian Olympic Association should talk to the International Olympic Association,” MP Surjewala said.
(ANI)