Can't direct PM to be present in House: Jagdeep Dhankhar on opposition demand for Modi's statement on Manipur

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday categorically said he cannot issue a directive to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come to the House as opposition leaders pressed for a statement by Narendra Modi on the Manipur issue. Opposition leaders, who have been demanding a discussion on the ethnic violence in Manipur under Rule 267 of Rajya Sabha, later staged a walkout in protest. Rule 267 allows for suspension of the listed business for the day to discuss an issue suggested by a member.

Earlier, soon after the listed papers were tabled, Dhankhar said he had received 58 notices under Rule 267 demanding a discussion on the unrest in Manipur. He, however, did not accept the notices saying they were not in order. Amid sloganeering by opposition members, Dhankhar gave the floor to Leader of Opposition and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to speak.

Kharge said he has given eight points in his notice underlining why the discussion on the Manipur issue should be held under Rule 267 and the prime minister should make a statement in the House. He also cited the number of people killed and injured in the violence. To this, Dhankhar remarked that the floor was given to the leader of opposition but he did not utilise the opportunity «wholesomely».

This led to another round of protest by the opposition demanding the prime minister's presence in the House. However, the Chair did not agree. «I had in categorical terms indicated very firmly on a proper constitutional premise and precedent that from this Chair I will be violating my oath if I impart a directive for the presence of the Prime Minister.