Karnataka Assembly Speaker slams opposition for storming during hate speech bill debate

Bengaluru: Legislative Assembly Speaker U T Khader on Monday criticised opposition MLAs for storming into the Well of the House even as Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka was speaking during the penultimate day of the just-concluded Winter Session of the Legislature, stating that it wasn’t a “good development.”

Addressing a news conference, Khader explained that a constructive discussion was happening about the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill (on Thursday) when a heated exchange took place between a minister (Byrathi Suresh) and some Opposition MLAs.

“I told that the LoP should speak. If the LoP or some senior ministers come to the Well, it’s a different matter. But when the LoP is speaking, if people at the back come to the Well, what should we do? After that, there were three important bills (to be discussed) — (internal) reservation Bill, social boycott bill...That decision had to be taken in that situation.”

Khader also noted that the proceedings during the 10-day Winter Session (December 08-19) were held for a duration of 57 hours and 35 minutes.

N-K discussions

He pointed out that 22 bills were tabled in the Assembly, while 23 Bills were passed, including the Karnataka Land Revenue (Second Amendment) Bill, which had been sent to a legislative committee in the previous session.

Khader explained that North Karnataka issues were discussed for 17 hours and 2 mins, with the participation of 39 members.

Unlike previous sessions where North Karnataka-related issues would be taken up in the second half, this
session saw these discussions from the very beginning, he added. On the final day (December 19), Chief Minister Siddaramaiah answered on behalf of the government. When asked about the Opposition asking him to extend the session, the Speaker explained that the decisions taken in the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) had been followed.