Tensions flared in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday amid continued Opposition demands that Union Home Minister Amit Shah issue a statement on police action during protests in Delhi.
During the proceedings, Opposition MPs raised slogans targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, insisting that they come to the House and offer an explanation. The atmosphere in the House turned confrontational as the issue was pressed again.
In the midst of the disruption, Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge urged Rajya Sabha Chair C.P. Radhakrishnan to direct that the Home Minister be called to the House to respond.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju objected strongly, saying the Opposition had been raising the same matter for the past seven days and that the rules do not permit the Chair to be “directed” in that manner. He said the Opposition had not cited any rule, and argued that Kharge could make requests but could not issue orders to the Chair.
Rijiju also accused Kharge of misusing the post of Leader of the Opposition and said the Opposition cannot repeatedly raise the same issue in the House.
