The third day of the 264th session of the Rajya Sabha witnessed noisy exchanges between the Treasury Benches and the opposition during the speech by Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address.

Proceedings of the House began with Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar offering Birthday greetings to members Abdul wahab, Sumitra valmik, Elamalam Kareem
 and V Vijaysai Reddy.

Dhankhar informed the House that Jaya Bachchan of Samajwadi Party was administered the oath as member, in his chamber, before proceedings began.

This was followed by obituary references to those who died in the 1985 Air India Kanishka bombing.

The Chairman recalled the 1985 Air India Kanishka bombing as “one of the darkest days in the fight against terrorism”.

The Chairman congratulated the Indian men’s cricket team for its victory in the T20 World Cup.

“Such historical accomplishments inspire every citizen of our nation to dream big, work hard, and achieve imminence,” Dhankhar said in his felicitation.

”Victory is a testament of their dedication and hard work. Such accomplishments inspire every Indian. On my behalf and on behalf of the house I congratulate the cricket team, ‘he said.

He also congratulated the South African team for their excellent performance.

After laying of papers, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said that he has received four notices to discuss alleged irregularities and leaks in examinations conducted by National Texting Agency.

Dhankhar said that President Droupadi Murmu, in her address to the joint session of both the Houses, had mentioned that the government is committed to fair investigations.

In view of this, he said that the notices could not be admitted.

Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar thereafter called for continuing discussion on Motion of Thanks to the President’s address to both the Houses of Parliament.

Speaking on the Motion, Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge said that the address lacked vision.

Kharge said ”There is no vision in the budget to alleviate situation of underprivileged. The address is merely a singing of paens of the government policies and programmers.

He said that the 2024 election was the first election in the country where protection of Constitution became an issue.

‘During the election campaigning, BJP said they wanted to cross 400 seats. Some party leaders also said they will change the Constitution,” Kharge said.

Kharge’s statement led to protests by members of the ruling party.

Kharge said that the NDA government has attempted to reduce the importance of Mahatma Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj from the history of the country by removing the statues of these leaders from their original location.

He alleged that the government placed statues of important historical figures like Mahatma Gandhi in areas that aren’t easily visible, without any consultations.

His statement led to noisy scenes from Treasury benches.

Intervening in the debate, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the statues were placed in a beautiful plant pregnancy steal.

 ”It is a measure to enhance the prestige of these dignitaries, ‘he said.

Rijiju said that all statues are now placed at Prerna Sthal.

Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that people want substance,  not slogans, he said ,”we have been saying to government in last ten years to concentrate on governance rather than sloganeering.’
 

He said that the PM failed to visit Manipur despite the fact that it has been torn by ethnic violence for over a year now.

He did not visit Manipur even when he had the time to campaign extensively during the elections and also visit foreign countries. He said that the 2024 Election was one where the public destroyed the arrogance of this government.

‘I had said that the BJP government only works to divert attention from real issues. During this election, the pm indulged in misinformation, ”he said.

When Mr Kharge recalled statements from Prime Minister Modi’s speeches during election campaigning, the Chairman urged him to “authenticate” his allegations.

” The Prime Minister insulted the voters and Opposition parties like Congress, RJD, SP, TMC,” Kharge said.

The speech by Kharge led to protests from the Treasury benches.

 He said the accounts of congress party were frozen during election.

Kharge raised NEET paper leak. When Kharge tried to make remarks on Sangh Parivar Chairman Dhankar expunged his remarks.

The remarks drew protests from Leader of the House J P Nadda.

”LoP Kharge’s comments are irresponsible and should be expunged,’ Nadda said.

After the speech by Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar adjourned the House for lunch, till 1415 hours.

In the post lunch session, Jawahar Sircar of the All India Trinamool Congress, participating in the debate, stated that India stands 120th in terms of per capita GDP.

He said inequality has reached record levels. He said West Bengal is suffering from an economic blockade from the Centre.

He said that today, 1st of July is a Black day as the new criminal laws, which had been passed by Parliament when 146 members of Parliament were suspended, have come in force.

He said that labour force participation among women is among the lowest in the world.

‘Our pollution levels are one of the worst, ‘he said.

He urged the government to focus on train safety.

Meda Ragunadha Reddy of the YSR Congress Party said urgent steps are needed to ensure that fruits of growth reach the poor and the needy.

Raising the issue of Special Category Status for Andhra Pradesh, he said that YSRCP will continue to raise the demand for Special Category Status for Andhra Pradesh.

Participating in the debate, Binoy Vishwam of CPI expressed concern on the canopy on the IGI airport in Delhi falling down following heavy rain in the capital city.

He said that for the BJP, Ram is just a means to garner votes.

Tiruchi Siva of the DMK said that despite several visits by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Tamil Nadu, DMK won all the seats it contested. He said that the election results have given a clear message that mixing of politics and religion has not been accepted by the people.

‘The verdict has given a message that economic issues are more important for the people, he said.

On the present government referring to the 1975 Emergency as a dark period, he said that today the country is going through an ‘undeclared emergency’.

He said that nearly 30 lakh crores rupees of common man were lost during the stock market crash after the result of the election came. He demanded an enquiry by a Joint Parliamentary committee in the rise of stock market after exit polls and its crash after the results which led to the common man.

Sanjay Singh of the Aam Aadmi party said that agencies like ED were misused during the elections to put opposition leaders in jail.

He said Delhi chief minister Arvind kejriwal, who did excellent work for the people, was put in jail just before the elections.

He said he himself was lodged in jail for six months despite no case against him.

He alleged that the liquor excise policy scam was done by the BJP taking 7 crore rupees bribe from Sharath Reddy.

Sanjay Singh’s remarks led to noisy scenes by Treasury benches.

 Leader of the House J P Nadda said that the member has made some objectionable remarks and the same must be expunged.

Sanjay Singh said that the government is targeting opposition Leaders in Delhi and other states.

He said that there is widespread anger in youth for Agniveer scheme and urged the government to withdraw the scheme.

He questioned why President Droupadi Murmu was not invited for the inauguration of the Ram temple.

He said that the President’s address talks about a clear mandate, but the BJP only won 240 seats.

 ”This is fewer than Mr Modi’s 400 paar slogan. So, you should think about your shortcomings,” he said.

Praful Patel of the NCP said that it is unfortunate that the entire election was fought on the Constitution of India being in danger.

He said that no one in the country can tamper with the Constitution. Patel said that Democracy is alive today only because of the Constitution.

Manoj Kumar Jha of the RJD said that the results show that arrogance has its limits.

He expressed concern on concentration of wealth in a few hands.

Jha said that the new criminal laws, which have come into force from 1st of July are a step to take India towards a police state.

K R Suresh Reddy of the BRS said that the election results reflect the pluralistic culture of our country.

 John Brittas of the CPI (M) said that under the present government, the states are made to starve.

The discussion on Motion of Thanks to the President’s address will continue on Tuesday (2nd July 2024)