The Opposition relentlessly demanding a debate on the Pegasus snooping row and farm laws during discussions of Bills in the Rajya Sabha was “deliberate” as part of a joint strategy. The demands on the two issues, even during discussions on Bills, have now been compiled in a three-minute video in what the Opposition said was an attempt to make the Government listen to them.
Admitting as much, TMC MP Derek O’Brien on Sunday said that their “strategy was deliberate”.
“When the official channels are being denied, this is a new way to reach the masses,” said O’Brien, who is also the leader of the TMC in the Rajya Sabha and from whose Twitter handle the video was released.
With this being the last week of the Parliament Session, the video urges “Mr Modi come listen to us”.
The video, which has been compiled using clips from RSTV, comprises statements made by the Opposition MPs in the Upper House, with the words “farmer” and “Pegasus” in the opening lines.
“You are not allowing the discussion we have been asking for the past 14 days and the discussions we can do later. You are passing that Bill now. If you have courage, begin the discussions on Pegasus now,” Congress’s Mallikarjun Kharge is heard saying in the video on the floor of the House.
The compilation includes Opposition speakers like Vandana Chavan of the NCP who raised the Pegasus issue, accusing the Government of “not listening to the people”.
RJD’s Manoj Jha too is seen speaking on the spyware issue. “Pegasus has reached everyone’s house. We have to discuss this,” says Jha.
Congress’s Deepinder Hooda raised the issue of farmers stating that he would talk about the matter if his “microphone is not switched off”.
The CPI(M) accused the government of “stealing” parliamentary democracy, while TMC’s Sukhendu Shekar Roy raised the issue of “freedom of speech in Parliament”. The other parties which have representation in the video include Samajwadi Party, TRS, DMK and AAP.
One of the leaders in the video, Shiv Sena MP in Rajya Sabha Priyanka Chaturvedi said in a democracy if the government of the day has a responsibility, so does the opposition.
CPI(M) leader and RS MP Elamaram Kareem said that speaking during the discussion on bills was the only way to make the Government listen.
Senior Congress leader and party spokesperson Manish Tewari said that what is happening in the House is a “complete murder of democracy”. “The institution of Parliament is being trifled with by the NDA-BJP government,” said Tewari, slamming the government for getting bills passed when the House is not in order.
Since the start of the Monsoon Session on July 19, parliamentary proceedings have been continuously witnessing disruptions due to protests by opposition parties and a logjam has persisted over their demand for a discussion on the Pegasus snooping row.
The Opposition has also been strongly protesting against the price rise issue and demanding the repeal of the farm laws.