With the BJP-led Opposition reacting sharply to Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari’s “anarchists” remark, he maintained on Wednesday it was not an allegation against anybody but his secretariat will review it, given the sentiments of the members.
The Chairman also said he planned to call a meeting of all parties shortly to reflect on the existing rules to run the House, with special reference to unparliamentary words. He said time has come to review practices and change rules if necessary.
As regards his remarks, the Chairman said, “I will ask the Secretariat to review the remarks in light of the record they have.” leader of opposition Arun Jaitley and several of his party colleagues urged Ansari to withdraw the remarks. However, treasury benches defended the Chairman’s remarks saying members should introspect about their behaviour in the house.
Defending his remark during an impromptu short discussion during the question hour, Ansari read out the remark which said “every single rule in the rule book, every single etiquette is being violated...If the members wish the House to become a federation of anarchists, then it is a different matter.”
Ansari also said he used the expression as it was a proper name and several bodies exist in the world with this name. There is also an international association by this name whose principles are abolition of all forms of authority.
Earlier, Najma Heptulla (BJP) said the expression had caused anguish and urged the Chairman to withdraw the remark saying his “prestige will not be lowered” in doing so. Ram Vilas Paswan (lJP) countered and said members also need to mind their behaviour in the House.