I.N.D.I.A. bloc raises objections to MPs being blocked by marshalls

New Delhi: I.N.D.I.A. bloc on Friday raised objections to marshalls preventing its MPs from entering the Well of Rajya Sabha during their protest against Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar and other states, alleging that it was a takeover of the chamber of the Council of States by the personnel of the CISF.

The incident took place at 12 noon when the Rajya Sabha reconvened after an adjournment with Trinamool Congress and DMK MPs trying to enter the Well of the House but were blocked by marshals at the entry point itself.

However, floor leaders Derek O'Brien (Trinamool Congress), Tiruchi Siva (DMK) and Sanjay Singh (AAP) as well as some others, including Sagarika Ghose and Nadimul Haque of Trinamool, entered the Well to raise slogans against SIR. 

They also protested against their blockade by security staff in the house, as the House was adjourned by Ghanshyam Tiwari, who was in the Chair, for the day.

Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to Deputy Chairman Harivansh protesting against the marshals' action saying he was "astonished and shocked"  to see "CISF personnel are made to run in the House when members are exercising their democratic rights".

"We saw this yesterday and we saw this today as well. Has our Parliament being reduced to such a level? This is most objectionable and we condemn it unequivocally. We expect that in future CISF personnel will not come trooping in the well of the House when members are raising important issues of public concern," Kharge said.

Sharing Kharge's letter on 'X', Congress Rajya Sabha Chief Whip Jairam Ramesh said, "after the sudden and unprecedented resignation of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, we are now seeing the takeover of the chamber of the Council of States by the personnel of the CISF."

O'Brien posted on 'X', "Rajya Sabha today. Unprecedented. Marshals (or CISF personnel ) pre-emptively barricade the Well. AITC, DMK and AAP MPs barred from entering the Well. Never seen anything like this before. So scared to discuss SIR-vote chori. Modi-Shah, I.N.D.I.A will fight you to the finish. See  you Monday."

O'Brien told reporters that such an action took place in Rajya Sabha for the first time since its inception in 1952. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah will continue disrupting the House," he said.