The Council of States, or the Rajya Sabha, on Wednesday saw its Chairman Venkaiah Naidu expunging references to the names of certain states by members who were highlighting issues of public importance.

Naidu advised members from all parties not to name any state otherwise “the purpose will be lost”.

The names of certain states mentioned by Congress leader Madhusudan Mistry and BJP leader K.J. Alphons were expunged by Naidu.

Mistry had raised the issue of deaths in police and judicial custody. He named a state that recorded the most deaths in police custody and referred to another that had the most deaths in judicial custody.

When Mistry finished, Naidu asked Alphons to associate himself with the issue. Members usually associate themselves by raising hands. Sometimes they are allowed to speak one or two sentences. But Alphons continued to speak for two minutes about custody deaths in another state. Opposition parties protested his long speech.

“The rule applies to all.… So, no state name should be taken,” Naidu said.

Earlier, Naidu gave similar advice to Congress leader P.L. Punia who was referring to atrocities against Dalits in Bulandshahr. The name of the place was not expunged.