Normalcy returns to Rajya Sabha as opposition chooses debate over disruption
Rajya Sabha returned to regular work with the opposition abandoning its plan of disrupting proceedings to press for its demands and taking on the government through debates on burning issues. The upper house saw the smooth conduct of zero hour, question hour and passage of two bills on Tuesday.
When the house assembled for the day, chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar announced that he has received a “record” number of 42 notices for suspension of listed business to discuss an important issue under Rule 267. He said that eight subjects have been mentioned in these notices, namely, the law and order situation in Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh; the law and order situation in Manipur; special category status to Odisha; the damage caused by Fengal cyclone in Tamil Nadu; the Adani bribery issue; the law and order situation in Delhi; the displacement of people in Wayanad due to landslide; and the attack on minorities in Bangladesh.
Dhankhar dismissed the notices and proceeded with the zero hour with the opposition conceding after a feeble protest. The smooth functioning of the House facilitated the raising of different issues by the opposition, which is reportedly divided on what matter should be given precedence during protests.
Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav raised the Sambhal communal violence issue, charging the BJP government in UP with creating a controversy over the peaceful survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid.
“On November 19, the munsif magistrate ordered a survey on a petition filed by a lawyer and within two
