• By Vivek Raj
  • Thu, 21 Dec 2023 12:23 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar of introducing casteism into Parliament, following the Vice President's criticism of a TMC leader's mimicry. The remarks were made during a protest by opposition MPs marching to Vijay Chowk from Parliament, expressing discontent over the suspension of 143 MPs from the House.

Kharge, accompanied by MPs and leaders of the INDIA bloc parties, asserted that the issue constituted a breach of the House's privilege. He highlighted the failure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to address the Lok Sabha security breach incident within Parliament while it was in session.

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“We wanted to raise Parliament security breach issue as to why it happened and who is responsible,” Kharge stated. The opposition sought to address the matter, but Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Shah were absent, with the PM delivering speeches elsewhere.

INDIA bloc leaders plan to stage a protest at Jantar Mantar on Friday against the suspension of MPs, and nationwide demonstrations are scheduled in all district headquarters against the government's "immoral and illegal" conduct.

Kharge asserted that the government appears unwilling to allow the House to function smoothly. Referring to the mimicry incident and Dhankhar's response, he said, “I am sorry to say that the Rajya Sabha Chairman has in a way brought casteism to Parliament by raising an issue.”

A political controversy erupted when Trinamool Congress leader Kalyan Banerjee mimicked Dhankhar during the opposition's protest, drawing condemnation from the BJP. Dhankhar expressed personal hurt, citing attacks on his farmer and Jat backgrounds.

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Since December 14, a total of 143 members have been suspended from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The disruptions stem from the opposition's demand for a statement from Home Minister Shah on the security breach that occurred after two individuals breached the Lok Sabha chamber on December 13.