No to resolution on anti-monk remarks

Geetanjali Gayatri

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 29

After according a rousing reception to Jain religious leader Tarun Sagar on the opening day of the monsoon session, the Haryana Vidhan Sabha today “unanimously” turned a deaf ear to a minister’s resolution to condemn “objectionable tweets”.

In the Zero Hour, Urban Local Bodies Minister Kavita Jain moved a resolution condemning the “derogatory” tweets by singer Vishal Dadlani. “It was decided at the all-party meeting to invite the religious leader to address the Assembly. However, Dadlani has hurt the sentiments of the entire Jain community as also insulted the House. Everybody is enraged especially since his discourse had no tinge of religion and was focused on the ills of society. Since it was the unanimous decision to invite him, we must condemn the remarks in one voice,” Jain said.

Editorial: At the service of godmen

However, Congress MLA Karan Dalal said “such big people” should not be called to the Assembly. “What somebody says should not bother us. We are only showing disrespect by even discussing such an issue. Since we have started with this, let Sikh saints and those from Mewat also come and address the Assembly. Let us all approve this unanimously too,” he said in the din as members kept putting across their points of view.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The constant commentary by members prompted Chief Minister ML Khattar to inform the House that a case in this regard had been registered in Ambala. “Action will be taken,” he said, putting an end to all arguments as the Minister’s resolution fell flat.

It was just not the government’s day in the Assembly as the Opposition insisted that it first take up the adjournment motion on the insurance scheme for farmers. Speaker Kanwar Pal, finally, managed to broker peace, assuring the Opposition that the adjournment motion had been converted into a calling attention motion and a lengthy discussion would be allowed.

After the Question Hour, the INLD and the Congress raised the issue of the two rapes in Mewat and the collapse of law and order in Haryana, seeking a discussion. Khattar said that four accused had been arrested.

However, the Opposition was unwilling to relent as INLD MLA Zakir Husain said that the government took action only four days after the incident and the MLAs joined the chorus for a discussion. Khattar agreed, stating that not only this incident but crime figures under Congress rule and other governments would also be discussed. The discussion is likely tomorrow.