In a Lok Sabha discussion marking 75 years of the Constitution, TMC MP criticized the BJP for suppressing dissenting opinions. This sparked a significant uproar from the Treasury bench, highlighting tensions over freedom of speech and political discourse.
In New Delhi, the Lok Sabha session faced considerable disruption as members were compelled to adjourn proceedings on two occasions due to a contentious statement made by Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra regarding the untimely demise of Judge BH Loya. Moitra's remarks triggered a notable uproar from the Treasury benches, leading to accusations from Union Minister Kiren Rijiju. He condemned Moitra for bringing up an issue that had already been addressed by the Supreme Court and cautioned her about the potential for “appropriate parliamentary action.”
During the discussion commemorating 75 years of the Indian Constitution, Moitra made a brief yet impactful comment concerning Loya's passing while delivering a pointed critique of the ruling BJP. She accused the party of systematically undermining institutions and targeting Opposition members to suppress dissenting voices. The contentious nature of her remarks prompted the House to be adjourned briefly on two separate occasions amidst the ensuing chaos.
Moitra remarked, “This morning, the Defence Minister spoke of the bravery exhibited by the late Justice HR Khanna during the dissent of 1976. It is imperative to recall that Justice HR Khanna lived an additional 32 years after 1976 under predominantly Congress leadership, which allowed him the opportunity to publish his autobiography, a source the minister referenced. In stark contrast, Judge Loya departed too soon, resting in peace well before his time.”
In a fierce denunciation of the BJP-led NDA government, Moitra emphasized that the ruling party has failed to meet the three crucial constitutional standards of accountability. She stressed that these encompassed electoral integrity, institutional accountability from the judiciary, and the watchdog roles played by the media and civil society. “The Election Commission must work to restore public trust in the electoral process. We have humorously begun referring to the model code of conduct as the Modi Code of Conduct,” she quipped.
Additionally, in a critical reference to comments made by former Chief Justice DY Chandrachud concerning the verdict on the Ram temple, Moitra expressed skepticism. “I doubt the architects of our Constitution envisioned that judges would base their rulings on private dialogues with the divine rather than the Constitution itself,” she contended. In response to her remarks, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey raised objections, particularly regarding her critique of Chandrachud, which included mentioning the former Chief Justice's decision to host Prime Minister Modi at his home during a festival.
Amid the tumult, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav also took the opportunity to voice his stance during the debate, reiterating his persistent call for a comprehensive nationwide caste census. This aspect of the conversation highlighted the ongoing discussions surrounding representation and social justice in India as multiple voices sought to address significant national issues within the parliamentary framework.
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