The Rajya Sabha faced repeated adjournments on Thursday, culminating in a final suspension of proceedings until 11 am on December 13, amid heated exchanges over an unprecedented impeachment motion against Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.
Uproar in the House
The session began with a disruption in the morning, forcing an adjournment till 2 pm. However, the resumption in the afternoon saw continued chaos, with Opposition members demanding discussions on various notices. Within 30 minutes, the House was adjourned again, as tensions remained high.
Former PM HD Deve Gowda’s Rebuke
Former Prime Minister and JD(S) leader HD Deve Gowda criticized the Opposition for initiating an impeachment motion against the Chairman. “For the first time in history, they are bringing an impeachment motion against the Chairman. This sets a dangerous precedent and could erode the democratic framework,” he said.
JP Nadda Defends the Chair
Leader of the House JP Nadda defended Chairman Dhankhar, stating that questioning or criticizing the Chair’s rulings constitutes contempt of the House. He specifically condemned Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge for his remarks during a press conference.
“The Chairman’s rulings cannot be questioned. Criticizing the Chair sets a wrong precedent, which is condemnable,” Nadda said.
He further alleged that Congress members had demeaned constitutional positions, referring to social media posts from Congress handles that referred to the Chairman as a “cheerleader” and mimicry videos made in the parliament premises.
“These actions show a lack of respect for constitutional values,” Nadda added.
Kharge’s Response
Opposition Leader Mallikarjun Kharge dismissed the allegations, claiming they were an attempt to divert attention from key issues. During his response, Chairman Dhankhar interjected, asking whether Kharge had accepted his invitation for discussions. The House was adjourned shortly after this exchange.
Broader Context
The Rajya Sabha also witnessed uproar on Wednesday, with the Treasury and Opposition benches clashing over a no-confidence notice against Chairman Dhankhar. The Congress-led Opposition criticized the Chair’s handling of parliamentary procedures and accused the government of stifling democratic discourse.
Nadda escalated the matter by linking the Opposition’s actions to alleged external influences, specifically citing George Soros and questioning Congress’s ties with him.
“What is the relationship between Sonia Gandhi and George Soros? Congress follows his destabilizing agenda like a puppet,” Nadda alleged, calling the press conference a distraction tactic.
Conclusion
The Rajya Sabha remains gridlocked as the battle between the Treasury and Opposition benches over the impeachment motion continues to intensify. With the session adjourned until Friday, the impasse highlights the growing rift between the government and the Opposition over parliamentary procedures and democratic norms.