In the midst of a heated parliamentary debate on the Manipur crisis, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge exchanged light-hearted banter, bringing laughter and claps from the members of the House.
The exchange occurred during Tuesday’s session, when Kharge mentioned that he had sought a discussion on the Manipur issue. In response, Dhankar playfully remarked, “That will happen as the time permits…but you are number one in my heart.” To which, the Congress leader humorously retorted, “I know your heart is very large…but that is on the other side.”
The Manipur issue, which led to the suspension of regular proceedings under Rule 267, revolves around the demand for a discussion on a matter of national importance. The Opposition pressed for an “elaborate statement” from Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the situation in Manipur, followed by a thorough discussion on the matter.
The Parliament has faced a logjam for four consecutive days since the beginning of the monsoon session. The government has expressed its willingness to hold a discussion on the Manipur crisis but resisted demands for Prime Minister Modi’s statement, considering it a potential cause for disruption.
On the opening day of the Parliament session, Prime Minister Modi condemned the appalling act of parading two Kuki women naked and sexually assaulting them. This incident occurred a day after ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur on May 3. The incident, captured in a viral video, sparked nationwide outrage.
While Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated the government’s readiness for discussion, the Opposition remained steadfast in their insistence on the Prime Minister’s statement.
Earlier today, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held a closed-door parliamentary party meeting to strategize for the monsoon session. During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi criticized the Opposition and their recently-formed alliance, I.N.D.I.A (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance), emphasizing that people cannot be misled solely by the use of the country’s name.
The INDIA alliance is reportedly considering moving a notice for a no-confidence motion against the government, further adding to the political dynamics during the ongoing session.
As the Manipur crisis continues to dominate the parliamentary proceedings, the exchange between Jagdeep Dhankar and Mallikarjun Kharge served as a light-hearted moment amidst the serious deliberations on the matter. The government and the Opposition will likely continue their discussions to find a common ground for addressing the situation in Manipur and ensuring the smooth functioning of the Parliament.
Sources By Agencies
