NEW DELHI : Lok Sabha proceedings were washed out today following uproar over AAP member Bhagwant Mann’s video of Parliament House by members, mostly from ruling BJP, with Speaker Sumitra Mahajan terming it a “serious issue” and assuring protesting members that some action would be taken.
Pandemonium prevailed soon after the House assembled for the day, with members of BJP and SAD on their feet demanding action against Mann.
Though members of other opposition parties like RJD, JD-U and SP also trooped into the Well holding placards demanding “right” to reservation in promotions, most vociferous protests were from the NDA members seeking action against Mann, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House for almost an hour till noon.
Similar scenes continued when the House reassembled and listed papers were laid.
Amid the din, Mahajan said the matter was “serious” and under her consideration.
“Koi na koi karvayee karenge (we will take some action),” she said, adding that 13 people had laid down their lives for the security of Parliament referring to the terror attack in December 2001.
A tensed Mann himself stood up in his seat and was seen trying to speak on the issue.
As the uproar continued, proceedings were adjourned for the day.
In the nearly 12 minute video, Mann is seen giving a running commentary as his vehicle crosses security barricades and enters Parliament. “I’ll today show you something you would not have seen earlier,” he is heard saying.
Mann is then shown entering a room where questions to be taken up inside Parliament are being sorted and seen describing the ongoing process.
When the Zero Hour was taken up after the adjournment, members, mainly from the ruling NDA, demanded action against Mann with the Speaker allowing party leaders to speak on the matter.
Terming it as a “serious issue”, Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said the House should come together and condemn it. It is a problem for members representing 125 crore people and that of the nation, he said.
“If we do like this, it will be a big problem for democracy,” Kharge said and sought action against Mann.
Protesting Mann’s action, R K Singh (BJP), also a former Home Secretary, claimed that the member has said he would do it again. “Tatkaal barkhast kariye (remove him immediately),” Singh said.
Singh also said the AAP member had put a question mark on the security of the sensitive complex and demanded a breach of privilege motion be brought against Mann.
BJD leader B Mahtab demanded that a separate committee be set up to look into the issue.
“It is a very serious matter. It is not ignorance or foolishness…,” he said and emphasised that the issue was also not just a matter of ethical conduct or privilege.
Referring to the December 13, 2001 terror attack on the Parliament House, Mahtab said at that time, the terrorists did not know where to enter. On that day, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi had called then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to know what had happened, Mahtab added.
Shiv Sena leader Anandrao Adsul urged the Speaker to disqualify Mann immediately. “Barkhaast kariya aaj hi” (remove him today),” he said.
AIADMK member P Kumar asked the Speaker to look into the matter.
Maintaining that the video was a “breach of security”, Kirit Somaiya (BJP) demanded his disqualification as an MP.
Through the din, RJD and SP members were in the Well holding placards saying ‘aarakshan ki haq-maari nahi chalegi’ (Won’t allow usurping of our right to reservation). They were apparently expressing their anguish over delay in passage of a bill on reservation in promotions.
With the panedemonium continuing, the Speaker then adjourned the House for the day. (AGENCIES)
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