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Last Update: March 09, 2023, 21:26 IST
VP Dhankhar said that Emergency was a dark chapter of Indian democracy, but democracy has matured now and cannot be repeated. (Image: IANS/File)
On the occasion of the release of the book written by veteran Congress leader and former MP Karan Singh on Mundak Upanishad, Dhankhar spoke in detail on the remarks made by the former Congress President in London.
Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar attacked the Congress leader on Thursday Rahul Gandhi for his remarks regarding the microphone being switched off in Parliament and that he would be on the “wrong side” of the Constitution if he remained silent on the issue.
On the occasion of the release of a book written by veteran Congress leader and former MP Karan Singh on Mundak Upanishad, Dhankhar spoke at length on the remarks made by the former Congress President in London.
“The world is applauding our historic achievements and functional, vibrant democracy. Some of us, including MPs, are overzealous and indulge in mindless, unwarranted insults to our cherished democratic values,” he said.
Rahul Gandhi told British MPs in London on Monday that working microphones in the Lok Sabha are often silenced against the opposition. He made the remarks during an event organized by Indian-origin veteran opposition Labor Party MP Virendra Sharma in the Grand Committee Room of the House of Commons complex.
In his address, the Vice President said, “How can we justify organizing such a fabricated narrative of factually unverified narrative and marking time… It is a proud moment for India to be the Chair of the G20. And the people of the country are working in overdrive to defame us. It is too grave and extraordinary to ignore such a false campaign mode to taint and tarnish our Parliament and Constitution. … If I remain silent on this event by a Member of Parliament outside the country which is mala fide and motivated, I shall be on the wrong side of the Constitution. It would be a constitutional blunder and an insult to my oath,” he said.
Dhankhar said that the Emergency was a dark chapter in Indian democracy, but the democracy has now matured and cannot be repeated. “How can I sanctify the statement that the mikes have been switched off in the Indian Parliament? How dare he say that? Proclamation of Emergency was a dark chapter in our history. The darkest phase any democracy can have to face. But Indian democratic politics has matured now. There can be no repetition of this,” he said.
Stating that anyone who says this inside or outside the country is an insult to the country, he said, “Imagine this is being done after being in the House for almost 50 minutes. Any misadventure to tear down our democratic fabric and values cannot be tolerated. Most people who believe in this country will be silenced forever.
Dhankhar also reacted to reports alleging that his “personal staff” had been “attached” to parliamentary standing committees and department-related standing committees.
“You know the importance of committees. I got suggestions from many members and chairpersons of committees to do something positive to improve productivity. So, I intensified the human resource associated with committees. I hired research-oriented, knowledgeable people placed so that they can help committee members optimize output and performance.’ Has anyone even checked the facts? The committees consist of Members of Parliament. It is their exclusive domain,” he said.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)