Barred from questioning EAM, Opposition stages walkout

Opposition MPs, led by Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, walked out of the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday after being barred from seeking clarifications on External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s statement about India-China relations.

Jaishankar had addressed the House regarding recent troop disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, echoing a similar statement he made in the Lok Sabha a day earlier. He emphasised that while disengagement was completed, the management of border areas still required attention, and peace along the LAC would remain the foundation for future ties with China.

Following his statement, Opposition MPs sought to ask questions, but Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar disallowed it, citing parliamentary rules that prohibit questions during ministerial statements.

Urging MPs to adhere to the rules, Dhankhar said, “I have no doubt the statement of the minister must have been seen by the entire country. They must be taking note of how comprehensively he has expressed his point of view. Evolve some kind of consensus. There are issues of security and national importance where we need to display exemplary conduct. There are issues of security and national importance where we need to display exemplary conduct.” The Opposition, however, criticised the move as stifling parliamentary debate and staged a walkout in protest.

Oppn politicising farmers’ issue: Dhankhar

New Delhi: Rajya Sabha Chairperson and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday dismissed the Opposition’s demand to raise the issue of farmers’ protests, accusing them of shedding “crocodile tears” and politicising the matter. After the customary laying of papers in the House, Dhankhar began addressing notices covering various issues, including the cyclone in Tamil Nadu, farmers’ concerns, allegations against the Adani Group and violence in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal.

Earlier, Jaishankar, said the ‘disengagement’ of troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) has completed, but management of border areas require ‘further’ attention and added peace and tranquillity along the LAC would form the basis of future relations with China.

“Management border areas will require further attention in the light of recent experiences,” said the minister.