Uproar over Jyoti remark continues in Parliament

Govt rejects Oppn demand for resignation of minister

Both the Houses of Parliament witnessed uproar on second consecutive day over controversial statement of Union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti. The Rajya Sabha had to be adjourned for the day after repeated disruptions.

 The Opposition again demanded resignation of the minister. However, the government rejected the demand and contended that the regret expressed by the minister should close the matter. The Opposition remained unrelenting and sought  legal action against her.

As soon as Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari read obituary references, Samajwadi Party member Naresh Agrawal raised the issue as point of order and uproar began.

Agrawal suggested a resolution to condemn the minister. Rejecting the suggestion, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu asserted that matter should close after the minister expressed her regret.

Naidu referred to objectionable remark made by a former minister against former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for which then prime minister Manmohan Singh had to apologise. Then he cited comment against Mulayam Singh Yadav. He also referred to the remark made by Trinmool Congress MP Tapas Paul in which he threatened violence and rape. 

Congress, SP and JDU members trooped into the well and CPI, CPM and Trinmool Congress members were on their feet. Deputy Leader of Opposition Anand Sharma tried to drive home the point that it is of no consequence whether the remarks were made outside the House. 

“This is cognizable and non-compoundable offence under 153 A of IPC. She should be removed from the Council of Ministers,” Sharma demanded. Sharma also criticized the prime minister who was in Parliament but did not come to the Rajya Sabha.

CPM leader Sitaram Yechury demanded the resignation of the minister. He also objected to Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien’s decision to allow Home Minister Rajnath Singh to give statement on killing of CRPF personnel in Chhattisgarh without giving the opportunity to seek clarifications.