Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh says anguished at conduct of Opposition members, to observe fast

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh on Tuesday expressed deep anguish and pain at the "humiliating" conduct of Opposition MPs towards him and announced a 24-hour-long fast expecting that it might inspire a feeling of self purification in them.

In letters to President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, he said the sight of "disrobing of democracy" jolted his mind and heart and he could not sleep for the whole night, after Opposition MPs protested against two contentious agriculture bills by tearing papers, throwing rule book at him, breaking microphones and standing on a table.

The Opposition MPs had accused him of not allowing their demand of voting to their motions to send the Bills to Select Committees.

Recounting the ruckus in Rajya Sabha on Sunday, he said the MPs engaged in violent conduct in the name of democracy and tried to frighten the Chair. He accused them of tearing to shreds every norm and conventions of the House.

Harivansh also said the Opposition MPs displayed brazenly aggressive behaviour and raised unparliamentary slogans.

"Whatever happened in front of me on September 20 has caused unimaginable loss to the dignity of House and Chair," Harivansh said.

Referring to the birth anniversary of poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar falls on Wednesday, he said he will end his fast tomorrow.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commented Harivansh for the letter and said, "each word of the letter has given new impetus to the faith in democracy. This letter is inspiring and praiseworthy."