Opposition members in the Rajya Sabha caused a commotion and chanted slogans on Monday when the Chairman refused to discuss a Lok Sabha matter. The Leader of Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge, raised concerns about the alleged denial of speaking rights to Rahul Gandhi in the Lower House. However, the Chairman upheld his decision, citing the separation of jurisdiction between the two Houses and declined any debate on the issue.
The refusal led to protests from the Opposition, resulting in continuous disruptions during the proceedings. Despite attempts to restore order, the uproar persisted, drowning out the voice of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. The Chairman reiterated that discussions related to Lok Sabha proceedings were not permissible in the Rajya Sabha, emphasizing his earlier stance on the matter.
Tensions rose further as opposition members, including those from Congress and allied parties, began shouting slogans. Amidst the chaos, DMK MP Tiruchi Siva mentioned submitting a breach of privilege notice against Union Minister Piyush Goyal for allegedly disclosing details of an India-US trade deal to the media before Parliament. The Chairman declined to address the privilege notice immediately, leading to heightened protests from the opposition.
The disruptions prolonged the proceedings, underscoring the ongoing discord between the government and the opposition regarding parliamentary rights and transparency in major policy issues. Opposition leaders criticized the silencing of the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and the lack of transparency in sharing crucial information with Parliament. Meanwhile, the Chair emphasized the strict adherence to rules delineating the jurisdictions of the two Houses.
