Assam Assembly: Entire AIUDF bench suspended

Legislators of the opposition AIUDF demonstrated in the Assam assembly on Tuesday, demanding a breach of privilege motion against Health Minister Ashok Singhal for his purported remarks against Bengali-speaking Muslims.

Speaker Biswajit Daimary had to adjourn the House for 20 minutes as the din continued.

AIUDF MLA Rafiqul Islam sought to move the breach of privilege motion at the end of the Question Hour.

The speaker said that the motion was disallowed as it does not meet the requirements.

Islam said that it was a matter of grave concern for a minister to make remarks against an entire community.

He maintained that Singhal’s remarks, made recently at his constituency Dhekiajuli, indicated that Bengali-speaking Muslims, referred to as ‘Miyas’, would be deprived of benefits of government schemes.

“He has made it publicly clear that he dislikes an entire community. He should be dismissed as a minister, and if he is to continue, he must apologise for his remarks,” Islam said.

Also Read: Assam government to submit report on ST status demand for 6 communities by March: minister Ranoj Pegu

Daimary said that while he was sympathetic towards the sentiments of the community, the breach of privilege motion cannot be allowed as per rules.

Following the ruckus, proceedings of the House were adjourned for 20 minutes by Daimary as the AIUDF members sought the motion even after Daimary had disallowed it.

When the House reassembled, they continued to press for their demand. Deputy Speaker Numal Momin, who was now presiding over the proceedings, requested them to take their seats and bring the issue under relevant provisions, as a breach of privilege motion was not admissible in this case.

As the AIUDF MLAs persisted with their demand, Momin ordered the suspension of the entire bench for 10 minutes.

“The AIUDF MLAs are suspended for 10 minutes. We can’t adjourn the House again and again as it is run on taxpayers’ money,” the deputy speaker said.