Minutes after the Rajya Sabha reconvened on Monday, the proceedings of the House were adjourned till 12 noon amid Opposition uproar.
Before Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar adjourned the proceedings, various papers and reports were laid, and Trinamool Congress leader Saket Gokhale took oath as a member of the Upper House.
Chairman Dhankhar announced that he had received as many as 11 notices under Rule 176 mostly from BJP members for discussion on instances of violence and atrocities against women in several opposition-ruled states. This included notices raising concern over violence during Panchayat elections in West Bengal.
In addition to this, the Chairman said he had received 27 notices under Rule 267 from various members including Leader of Opposition (LoP) Mallikarjun Kharge and John Brittas.
Opposition members have been demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Manipur horror which involved the parading of two women naked and alleged gang-rape.
Chairman Dhankhar noted that on July 20, he had given a ruling that notices for short-duration discussion received regarding violence in Manipur is admitted and the Leader of the House Piyush Goyal had agreed to a discussion on the issue.
“The remaining notices are under my active consideration,” he stated.
As the announcements were being made, TMC leader Derek O’Brien came on his feet to protest. To this, Dhankhar responded saying he was challenging the Chair.
But with several opposition members along with O’Brien refusing to budge from their positions, Dhankhar adjourned the House.
