Intolerance Debate Derails In LS; House Adjourned Repeatedly
30 November, New Delhi
The debate on ‘intolerance’ in the Lok Sabha was Monday derailed in the initial stage itself with row over the demand of withdrawal of a reference made by Mohammad Salim (CPM) of Home Minister Rajnath Singh forcing four frequent adjournments.
The trouble erupted at the onset of the debate after the Question Hour, when Salim tried to level certain charges against the Home Minister on the basis of an interview published in a weekly magazine.
However, Singh categorically refuted quotes submittted by the CPM Member saying he did not make any such statement.
The Member held that what he has said in the House is based on the interview given by the Home Minister and if some content is wrong in the published story, then he is not at fault, the government agencies should have taken initiative for wrong reporting.
Speaker Sumitra Mahajan held that since the Home Minister has disowned and refuted the reported reference, the entire reference and quote made by the Member in that context is being expunged, nothing would go on records.
However, the Treasury Benches including Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Pratap Rudy demanded that the Member withdraw his reference.
But Mr Salim also refused to relent saying “I have not faulted, I quoted the Minister from the interview as per rules, if the contents are wrongly reported then it is the fault of the reporter and the magazine.
”The more serious aspect is that I have been pressed for withdrawal of a reference that has already been expunged by the Chair.
“Moreover, MoS Parliamentary Affair himself is threatening of stalling the proceeding until withdrawal of reference, this is also very unfortunate.
“But, I do accept the Speaker’s ruling of expunging the comment,he said.
M Veerappa Moily(Cong) defended Salim saying that he should not be forced to withdraw his stance, since the Home Minister has disowned the statement, the matter should be over there itself.
However, BJP’s Meenakshi Lekhi, Hukum Singh and Kirit Somaiya wanted withdrawal of ther Salim’s reference.
Ms Lekhi and Hukum Singh demanded breach of privilege proceedings against the Member and magazine whileMr Somaiya demanded an apology from Salim.
The ensuing arguments forced the Chair to adjourn the House four times.