Even as the Opposition continued to boycott Parliament, Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday said he was duty bound to take disciplinary action against the eight MPs although their suspension was an “unpleasant” thing to do. Justifying his action, he also said the opposition has the right to protest but the question is how it should be done.
Addressing the house before adjourning the house sine die, Naidu also appreciated the role of Parliament staff and said holding a session during this pandemic required some innovative thinking and elaborate planning, well in advance.
Secretary-General, Rajya Sabha and his team in the Secretariat as also the Parliament Security Service and other agencies including the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) who worked behind the scenes, “did not fail me in this regard. I would like to put on record my appreciation for the efforts made by them.” The Members present in the House lauded the contribution by thumping the desk.
As regards the events in the last three days, Naidu said he was duty bound to uphold the dignity of the rules, standards and values of the Upper House. He also said the Rules do provide for such suspension when it becomes inevitable.
In his concluding remarks before the Rajya Sabha was adjourned eight days ahead of the schedule, the Chairman said the floor of the august House was the most effective platform for contestation of ideas.
However, if boycott is done for a longer period, it amounts to leaving the very platform that enables members to effectively convey their ideas, besides contesting those of others.
Referring to the letter he had received from Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad and others urging the House not to pass the three labour codes, the Chairman said there have been a number of precedents when the business was taken up as per schedule and bills were approved in the wake of boycott or walkout by some members.
In this context, he cited the passage of the Finance Bill and Appropriation Bill in 2013.
Naidu said had the letter suggested the postponement of bill by stating that they would attend the House, he would have discussed the issue with the government. He said there was no such assurance. On the other hand some of the members justified what they had done. Therefore, he decided to go ahead with the bills, he said.
The Chairman said for the first time in this history of this House, a notice of motion was given for the removal of the Deputy Chairman and it was rejected. He pointed out that the mandatory 14 days advance notice was not given.
Referring to the developments surrounding this unprecedented move, he said they have been deeply painful for all those who hold the stature and the dignity of this House dear to their hearts. He appealed to the members to ensure that such unseemly behaviour was not repeated.
Though it was not the first time that some members were suspended and Bills passed when some sections of the House boycotted the proceedings, Naidu said “I find it extremely unpalatable. This kind of a situation needs to be avoided by all means.”