A BJP and a Congress parliamentarian on Wednesday alleged that their proposed questions on Chinese incursions, alleged harassment of NRIs during the farm movement and protests against the Jallianwala Bagh renovation had been rejected by the Rajya Sabha secretariat.
Subramanian Swamy, a nominated MP from the BJP in the Upper House who has been critical of the Narendra Modi government of late, took to Twitter to express his displeasure at being allegedly rebuffed.
“It is hilarious if not tragic for Rajya Sabha Secretariat to inform me today that my Question whether the Chinese have crossed the LAC in Ladakh cannot be allowed ‘because of national interest’!!!” Swamy tweeted.
This newspaper tried to get in touch with Swamy for details but calls and text messages went unanswered.
Congress leader K.C. Venugopal alleged two of his questions had not been admitted and the secretariat had communicated the decision to him verbally, citing no reason.
Venugopal told The Telegraph that one of his questions was on whether any NRI had been stopped from coming to India over the past year during the farmers’ protest to prevent them from taking part in the movement. His other question was whether locals had protested the renovation of the Jallianwala Bagh memorial.
“I have been verbally informed about the rejection of both questions. They should have at least informed me in writing about the reasons for the rejection,” the MP said.
The Rajya Sabha Chairman is the final authority to decide whether a question or a part of it is admissible.
“This is intolerance on the part of the government…,” Venugopal said.
This newspaper sent an email to secretary-general P.C. Mody asking about the allegations against the Rajya Sabha secretariat but is yet to receive a response.
LS normal
The Lok Sabha on Wednesday witnessed normal proceedings after a brief disruption, as the Treasury and Opposition benches participated in a debate to pass a bill.
