In a surprising turn of events, opposition parties walked out of the Rajya Sabha during PM Modi’s speech. This dramatic move has sparked intense debates and reactions across the political scene.
The Walkout
Led by the Congress party, the opposition left in protest while PM Modi was responding to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address. The opposition leader, Mr. Mallikarjun Kharge, was not allowed to speak during the session, which angered the opposition members.
This walkout wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. It was the result of rising frustration among opposition members who felt that the government was ignoring constitutional rules and democratic processes. As per the opposition, denying a chance for Mr. Kharge to speak was the final straw.
VIDEO | Opposition MPs walked out of the Rajya Sabha. Here's what LoP Mallikarjun Kharge said.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 3, 2024
"We walked out from the House because the PM was speaking some wrong things during the reply to the motion of thanks. His habit is to lie, mislead people and speak against the truth. I… pic.twitter.com/tAbD1ePX7P
Modi’s Speech Amid Protests
As PM Modi continued his speech, opposition members shouted slogans and demanded that Mr. Kharge be allowed to speak. Despite the noise, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar did not give in to their demands, which made the situation worse.
Despite the uproar, PM Modi commenced his speech, which lasted over two hours, covering a wide range of topics from the achievements of his government to the challenges facing the nation.
PM Modi’s speech in the Rajya Sabha was a detailed exposition of his government’s policies and vision for the future of India. He touched upon the progress made in various sectors, including infrastructure, digital innovation, and social welfare programs. The Prime Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to transparency and corruption-free governance, citing the recent initiatives undertaken to curb malpractices.
One of the highlights of his address was the discussion on Manipur, where he lauded the efforts to bring peace and stability to the region. He said, ”The government is continuously making efforts to normalize the situation in Manipur. More than 11,000 FIRs have been registered and over 500 people arrested. Incidents of violence are continuously reducing in Manipur. Today, schools, colleges, offices, and other institutions are open in the state. Central & State govt is talking to all stakeholders to restore peace.
The Union Home Minister stayed there for many weeks. Central govt is extending all cooperation to Manipur to tackle the flood situation. Today, 2 teams of NDRF have reached Manipur. I warn those who are trying to add the fuel to fire will be rejected by Manipur. Congress had imposed President’s rule in Manipur 10 times”.
#WATCH | Speaking on Manipur in Rajya Sabha, PM Modi says, "The government is continuously making efforts to normalise the situation in Manipur. More than 11,000 FIRs have been registered and over 500 people arrested. Incidents of violence are continuously reducing in Manipur.… pic.twitter.com/LYKNdfiXyW
— ANI (@ANI) July 3, 2024
He also spoke at length about the government’s stance on contentious issues such as the Central agencies’ role and the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), which has been a subject of debate.
In his speech, PM Modi also took the opportunity to address the criticisms levied against his government, particularly focusing on the allegations of corruption. He defended his administration’s record, outlining the measures taken to ensure accountability and integrity in governance.
Ruling Party’s Reaction
Members of the ruling party criticized the walkout, calling it disrespectful to the Constitution and parliamentary proceedings. PM Modi, during his speech, condemned the walkout, saying he was there to talk about his government’s work, not to play politics.
Debate on Democracy
This incident has started a bigger debate on the state of Indian democracy and how the Parliament works. Many people are asking if there is enough room for different opinions and discussions in the current system. Some see the walkout as a needed protest against what they believe is the weakening of democratic values.
The walkout also puts a spotlight on the role of the Rajya Sabha as a place for debate and discussion. The upper house of Parliament is supposed to host a range of viewpoints. But incidents like this raise questions about how well it serves this purpose.
After the walkout, there are more calls for a respectful and inclusive approach to parliamentary debates. Political experts say that for democracy to work well, there must be a willingness to listen to different views and a commitment to democratic principles.