Rajasthan Assembly Erupts Over 'Dadi' Comment, Congress Protests

Synopsis

The Rajasthan Assembly experienced significant unrest as Congress MLAs protested against remarks made by Minister Avinash Gehlot regarding Indira Gandhi. Speaker Vasudev Devnani's attempts to maintain order led to multiple adjournments. The situation escalated with the suspension of six Congress members, indicating ongoing political tensions.

Key Takeaways

Rajasthan Assembly faced disruptions due to Congress protests.
Six Congress MLAs, including Govind Singh Dotasara, were suspended.
Minister Avinash Gehlot's comments on Indira Gandhi sparked outrage.
Protests have lasted four consecutive days.
Political tensions remain high in the Assembly.

Jaipur, Feb 24 (NationPress) The Rajasthan Assembly erupted into chaos on Monday as the Question Hour commenced. Speaker Vasudev Devnani instructed six suspended Congress MLAs, including state party president Govind Singh Dotasara, to exit the House. However, the suspended legislators refused to comply, resulting in disruptions that compelled the Speaker to adjourn the session until noon.

As the session began, Congress MLAs surged into the well of the House, chanting slogans and creating a disturbance. Despite the tumult, the Question Hour continued briefly. The Speaker repeatedly urged the suspended members to leave, but they remained steadfast. With tensions rising, the Assembly was ultimately adjourned.

Earlier that day, the Congress Legislature Party convened within the Assembly premises to devise their strategy for the day.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel and Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedham met with Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully. The two ministers had also engaged in late-night discussions with Congress MLAs in an attempt to resolve the impasse before meeting the Speaker.

This protest marks the fourth consecutive day of turmoil in the Assembly, with Congress MLAs spending three nights within the House. The conflict originated from comments made by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Avinash Gehlot regarding former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The situation escalated after the suspension of six Congress MLAs, including Dotasara.

The controversy ignited on February 21, when during the Question Hour, Congress members objected to Minister Avinash Gehlot’s reference to Indira Gandhi. In response to a query, Gehlot stated that in 2023-24, a specific scheme was named after “your Dadi Indira Gandhi”. Congress MLAs perceived this as disrespectful and rushed to the well in protest.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel sought to calm the members, clarifying that “grandmother” was intended as a term of respect. However, the uproar intensified, prompting Congress MLAs to approach the Speaker’s podium.

The Speaker was compelled to adjourn proceedings multiple times due to the ongoing deadlock. Following the escalating protests, Chief Whip Jogeshwar Garg proposed suspending the protesting Congress MLAs. Speaker Vasudev Devnani subsequently announced the suspension of Govind Singh Dotasra, Deputy Leader of Opposition Ramkesh Meena, Amin Kagzi, Zakir Hussain Gasavat, Hakeem Ali Khan, and Sanjay Kumar for the remainder of the budget session. Despite the suspensions, Congress legislators remained defiant, continuing their protest inside the Assembly, thus prolonging the political standoff.