In a heated exchange of letters, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar have engaged in a war of words, shedding light on the ongoing parliamentary impasse and the suspension of 146 opposition MPs. The letters, marked by accusations and counter-accusations, reveal the deep-rooted tensions between the government and the opposition, raising questions about disruptions, suspensions, and the functioning of parliamentary democracy in India.
The saga began with Dhankhar’s letter to Kharge, inviting him for an interaction on December 25 to discuss the disruptions in Parliament and the suspension of opposition MPs. In this letter, Dhankhar asserted that the disorder in the House was deliberate, part of a strategy, and raised concerns about the role of the Congress in the disruptions. He hinted at a predetermined role of the main opposition party, promising to share more details during the proposed interaction.
Mallikarjun Kharge’s response
Kharge, in his response, criticized Dhankhar’s letter, stating that it “unfortunately justified the autocratic and arrogant attitude of the government towards Parliament.” He urged the Vice-President, who also serves as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, to objectively examine the concerns raised by him and approach the matter with neutrality.
The central point of contention revolves around the mass suspension of opposition MPs, which Kharge argues is predetermined and premeditated by the government. He expressed regret over the suspension of an opposition MP who was not present in Parliament, highlighting what he sees as a lack of careful consideration in the decision-making process.
Kharge also raised questions about the role of presiding officers in passing bills without debate in the absence of opposition members. He emphasized that history might judge the presiding officers harshly for facilitating legislative business without seeking accountability from the government. Kharge accused the ruling party of “weaponizing” the suspension of MPs to undermine democracy, sabotage parliamentary practices, and stifle constitutional processes.
The Congress president argued that privilege motions have also been weaponized to silence the voice of the opposition, describing it as a deliberate design by the ruling dispensation to undermine Parliament itself. He stressed the Chairman’s role as the custodian of the House, responsible for protecting the people’s right to hold the government accountable in Parliament.
Kharge’s letter delved into the alleged threat of suspending most opposition MPs before the Home Minister’s presence in the Rajya Sabha. He called on the Chairman to inquire into such threats, stating that they grossly undermine the authority of the Chair, which is the final authority on conducting the House, including the suspension of members.
Responding to Dhankhar’s remark that Kharge’s refusal to meet him during the Winter session was not in sync with parliamentary practices, Kharge questioned the effectiveness of discussions in the chairman’s chamber when the government was not committed to running the House. He expressed willingness to meet at the earliest convenience upon his return to Delhi.
This exchange of letters highlights the deep-seated challenges facing Indian parliamentary democracy, with both the government and the opposition pointing fingers at each other. The impasse, suspensions, and disruptions have become symbolic of the larger struggle for power and influence within the hallowed halls of Parliament.
As India grapples with these parliamentary complexities, the letters between Kharge and Dhankhar serve as a microcosm of the broader issues plaguing the functioning of democracy in the country. The need for constructive dialogue, accountability, and a commitment to parliamentary norms becomes increasingly evident as the nation watches the unfolding drama within its highest legislative bodies.
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