Congress Refuses To Join Rajya Sabha Inquiry Committee

Congress refuses to join the Rajya Sabha inquiry committee to probe violence in the House.

The Congress has refused to join the proposed inquiry committee of MPs being set up to probe the violence that took place in the House during the monsoon session on August 11.

According to sources, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge in a letter to Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said, “The constitution of an inquiry committee on the events of August 11, 2021, appears to be designed to intimidate MPs to silence them.”

This will not only stifle the voice of public representatives but will also deliberately sideline all those who are uncomfortable with the government.

“Therefore, I am categorically against the constitution of the inquiry committee and the question of proposing the name of any member of any party for nomination to this committee does not arise,” he said.

The Congress leader said the opposition was keen to participate in the discussion and claimed that it was the government that created hurdles in the smooth conduct of the session.

Kharge also said in the letter that the government not only rejected the demand for discussion of the opposition parties.

But also pushed forward important bills and policies that could potentially have serious and adverse effects on the country.

The Leader of the Opposition explained that his party has criticized the state of India’s economy, farmers’ protests, inflation, rise in the prices of petrol and diesel.

Other essential commodities, unemployment, violation of India’s territorial integrity by China, several cases including Pegasus and Rafale scandals.

Served a number of notices under the Rules of Procedure, hoping to lead to constructive discussions on other national issues.

The letter said the party has also sidelined the standing committees and refused to hold any meaningful discussion on bills, policies, and issues.

Additionally, senior ministers were absent from Parliament, while opposition MPs were suspended. In doing so, the government undermined the sovereignty of Parliament.

Kharge also said that he has spoken to other opposition parties in this regard and almost all of them have rejected the inquiry committee’s proposal.

On August 11, there was a ruckus in the Rajya Sabha, with the opposition alleging misbehavior by marshals, while the ruling party alleged violence against parliament staff and others by opposition MPs.

Congress refuses to join Rajya Sabha inquiry committee: Two Congress MPs Phoolo Devi and Chhaya Verma had alleged that they were thrashed during the uproar in the House.

According to official sources, an official complaint has been lodged against the MPs who created ruckus in the Rajya Sabha during the monsoon session that ended last month.

It was decided in the meeting of Rajya Sabha Chairman and Union Ministers that action would be taken after discussion by forming a committee.

During the entire session that began on 19 July, opposition members protested in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha over their various demands.

Including an investigation into allegations of surveillance through Pegasus spyware and repeal of three agricultural laws, leading to mostly disruption of proceedings in the House.

Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned sine die on August 13, two days before the scheduled end of the monsoon session.