When Chairman Venkaiah Naidu broke down in Rajya Sabha, said he had a sleepless night

Tribune News Service 

New Delhi, August 11

Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday briefly broke down as he read out a statement expressing anguish at what happened in the House on Tuesday afternoon when some opposition members climbed on the reporters’ table during a discussion on farmers’ issue.

“I have no word to express my anguish but to condemn such acts. I spent a sleepless night last night,” Naidu said. After saying “sleepless night”, Naidu had an extended pause when he tried to control his emotions looking down at the desk in front of him. He finally said “last night” with some effort as his voice choked.

Naidu said Parliament was like a temple of democracy and the area where the scribes (reporters who take down the speeches), the secretary general and the presiding officer sat was like the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. Devotees were not allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum ordinarily. But, this custom was being routinely violated in the House. Some members even climbed atop the scribes’ table to gain better visibility, the Chairman said.

Naidu said Tuesday was a “golden opportunity” for opposition members to express their views on the three farm laws. “But it was not to be as their (opposition members’) sole intention seemed not to allow the House to function,” Naidu said.

This attracted a loud protest from the opposition benches prompting Naidu to adjourn the House till noon.