Is the festival of Holi more important than a discussion on the Delhi riots that took place in the aftermath of the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act? Lok Sabha Speaker and senior BJP leader Om Birla certainly seems to think so.
ALSO READ: People’s Leader Akhil Gogoi Unable to Meet Wife in Jail due to Deteriorating Health
Addressing the Lower House amid deafening ruckus, Speaker Birla said on Tuesday, "Aapne charcha maangi aur sarkar charcha ko taiyar hai…. Holi ka achchha parv manaiye. Shauhard-purn tarike se desh me charcha hona chahiye. Aapbhi Holi manaeeye, sab Holi manayen (You asked for a discussion and the government is ready for discussion…. Celebrate well the festival of Holi. There should be a discussion in the country in a harmonious manner. You celebrate Holi, all celebrate Holi),”.
This statement was decried by members of the opposition who have condemned the Government for its treatment of the violent protests, which left many dead.
Earlier in the day, when the House met at 11am, the Opposition Congress, DMK, Left and Trinamul pointed out that they had submitted adjournment motions and wanted the House to immediately take up a discussion on the Delhi riots.
However, the Speaker's statement further provoked the members and they later some were spotted paper balls at the chair and the House was adjourned for the day.
Similarly, the Rajya Sabha also saw similar scenes transacted little business for the second day on Tuesday as Opposition members kept demanding an immediate discussion on the riots but the government and Chairman Venkaiah Naidu repeated their stand of restoring normality first.
It may be mentioned
Support Inside Northeast (InsideNE), an independent media platform that focuses on Citizen-centric stories from Northeast India that are surprising, inspiring, cinematic and emotionally relevant.
Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possible.
To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us HERE.
Download:
The Inside Northeast app HERE for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.
Do keep following us for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.
Copyright©2024 Living Media India Limited. For reprint rights: Syndications Today