The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday witnessed stormy scenes after leader of the House Arun Jaitley remarked that issues were raised for publicity and "TV cameras". The Opposition, subsequently, raised a din forcing repeated adjournments demanding that the remark be expunged as it "denigrated" and "castigated" them.
Jaitley did not relent and said the Opposition was creating a din to prevent some ruling party members from raising the issue of Samjhauta train blast case of 2005 in which some media reports have suggested that some crucial evidence was ignored. leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said the members highlighted matters pertaining to the "have nots" and not for television. He also charged the NDA regime for throttling the television channels and 99 per cent coverage pertained to the "sarkar"(Government).
Ruckus started in the pre-lunch session after Congress leader Anand Sharma wanted to raise an issue under Rule 267 which prescribes suspension of business to take up the matter. Several members had given such notices on various issues but Deputy Chairman P J Kurien did not allow. He, however, asked Sharma to state his case.
Charging that the NDA Government was undermining the stature of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, Sharma said Gandhi was compared to Deendayal Upadhyaya in an apparent reference to new President Ramnath Kovind's speech in the Central Hall of Parliament on Tuesday.
Reacting to this contention, Jaitley said the practice of raising matters under Rule 267 was "grossly abused" for publicity and TV cameras. This led to sharp exchanges between him and some Opposition members demanding the remark be expunged. Amidst the din, Jaitley also said the members generally refrain about mentioning persons in high constitutional authority but Sharma said he had not named anyone. Jaitley countered saying he knew the "spirit" of Sharma's contention.
Backing his party colleague, Azad said the Government was trying to insult leaders like Gandhi and Nehru who had fought for India's independence. Moreover, the Government was observing centenary of those people who had no role or connection with the freedom struggle, he said.
Taking an affront to Jaitley's remarks, Sharma then said the Opposition was "castigated, denigrated" and projected as being "frivolous." Demanding the expunction of remarks, he also said such "sweeping" statements cannot be allowed. His colleague Kapil Sibal said if the remarks are not expunged, they will be forced to move a resolution against Jaitley adding the level of "arrogance" in the Treasury Benches was not earlier seen.
DMK member Thiruchi Siva said he was "hurt" by Jaitley's remarks that issues were being raised for TV publicity. To this, the BJP leader said, "Every day what is not point of order is raised as point of order knowing fully that you are violating the rule. None of us were born today that we don't realise each other's games. We know this noise is being created only because some members want to raise the issue of Samjhauta case. We know that. Don't provide an alibi. I know they are your ally parties. Don't provide an alibi."
Earlier, BJP member Subramanian Swamy said he should be allowed to raise a point of order regarding the Samjhauta train blast case.