The Rajya Sabha witnessed a fiery exchange on Tuesday as Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed deep anguish over an incident where he was allegedly mocked by an opposition MP and video-recorded by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
“Imagine what must be going through my heart when your senior leader video graphs a Member of Parliament mocking the Institution of Chairman, as an individual take on me,” Dhankhar addressed P. Chidambaram, senior Congress leader and MP. He further condemned the targeting of his farmer and Jat background, calling it an “insult to the office of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.”
X handle of the SansadTV tweeted, “#RajyaSabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed pain and displeasure in the Upper House. Chair singles out Congress leader P. Chidambaram, accuses his party of posting a video on social media that insults the Chairman’s “background as a farmer”.
#RajyaSabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed pain and displeasure in the Upper House.
Chair singles out Congress leader P. Chidambaram, accuses his party of posting a video on social media that insults the Chairman’s “background as a farmer”. @VPIndia pic.twitter.com/UhoU5x2HOa
— SansadTV (@sansad_tv) December 19, 2023
The incident allegedly involved Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee mimicking Dhankhar during an opposition protest outside Parliament. Rahul Gandhi was reportedly capturing the scene on his phone.
Dhankhar labeled the act as “an occasion to see the lowest level” and accused the Congress of ravaging the institution of the Chairman. He expressed personal hurt over the attack on his background, stating that a video circulated on the party’s official Twitter handle “demeaned” him and “insulted” his position as a farmer, a Jat, and the Chairman.
The Vice President’s outburst came after adjourning the House following the uproar. His statement sparked further debate, with the Congress defending their actions and calling Dhankhar’s response an overreaction.
The incident highlights the growing tension between the ruling BJP and the opposition parties in Parliament. With crucial bills pending and the budget session approaching, concerns are mounting about how such clashes might impede legislative progress.
Whether an apology is forthcoming from the opposition or how the House moves forward from this heated exchange remains to be seen. The incident has certainly put the spotlight on the respect accorded to parliamentary institutions and the conduct of elected officials.