NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha Tuesday plunged into turmoil after LoP Rahul Gandhi was denied permission to speak following PM Narendra Modi’s statement on Maha Kumbh, with a joint protest by the opposition resulting in din and forcing the speaker to adjourn the House.
When Modi came to make his statement in the afternoon, the opposition questioned how could it be done without intimation. Later, after the PM left, Speaker Om Birla said it was allowed under Rule 372, while adding that the opposition cannot seek clarification after the statement under the said rule. The sloganeering by the opposition led to adjournment.
Under the rule, a statement may be made by a minister on a matter of public importance with the consent of the speaker but no question shall be asked at the time the statement is made.
Later, Rahul told reporters that he supports the PM’s statement but added that Modi should also have paid homage to the victims of stampede during the Kumbh.
On he being disallowed from speaking in the House, Rahul said LoP in Lok Sabha should be given an opportunity to raise issues, adding sarcastically “…but this is New India”. “I wanted to support what the PM said. Kumbh is our tradition, history and culture. There was also a complaint that the PM did not pay homage to those who lost their lives (in stampede),” he said.