Taking a serious note of politicisation of homage to martyrs, Delhi Assembly Speaker Yoganand Shastri on Monday reprimanded Congress and BJP members for lowering the level of debate while discussing contribution of martyrs — Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev in the freedom struggle.
Speaker Shastri was upset as both Congress and BJP members started politicisation of martyrs.
“It’s a serious issue. The members have lowered the level of debate while discussing martyrs of freedom struggle. They have taken the debate lightly and started politicisation. There should not be any politicisation. They should be refrained from making any political comments on martyrs of freedom struggle. The members of this House should take seriously while discussing martyrs of freedom struggle,” he said.
Earlier, the Speaker reprimanded senior Congress MlA Mukesh Sharma for raising the issue of hijacking of IC-814 in 1999 and release of terrorist to secure return of the passengers. Sharma was taking a pot shot at the BJP while speaking on contribution of martyrs of freedom struggle — including Saheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev. The Speaker, taking a serious view of Sharma’s comment, interrupted during his speech and did not allow him to continue while cautioning other members not to “trivialise” such an important issue.
The Delhi Assembly has decided to pay homage to martyrs on Monday to mark the Martyrs’ Day on March 23. During the discussion, BJP members alleged that statue of Veer Savarkar was not installed at Parliament and the Congress was apathetic towards the contribution of freedom fighters.
Congress member Anil Bhardwaj stated in the House that Congress has a long history of making sacrifices for the nation and honouring the nation’s martyrs is fundamental duty of Congress leaders.
Congress leader Mukesh Sharma alleged that BJP talks about terrorism and terrorists but people will remember in future that this is the only party which deported Azhar Mehmood, a militant to Kandhar.This statement by Sharma has led to heated arguments between Congress and BJP members in the House.