Is Rajasthan Assembly Under Surveillance? Congress Questions Cameras as BJP Responds

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Rajasthan Assembly faced chaos due to spying allegations.
- Congress MLAs accused BJP of violating privacy.
- Government defended camera installation for transparency.
- Speaker warned against disruptive behavior.
- Political tensions are rising in the state.
Jaipur, Sep 9 (NationPress) The Rajasthan Assembly experienced significant turmoil on Tuesday as Congress MLAs accused the BJP-led state government of conducting surveillance on the Opposition.
Rajasthan's Leader of Opposition (LoP) Tika Ram Jully claimed that special cameras were secretly installed to monitor Congress legislators, labeling it an infringement on their privacy and dignity.
LoP Jully raised concerns over the necessity of these additional cameras, considering that Assembly proceedings are already broadcast live on YouTube.
"This surveillance appears to be solely aimed at targeting the Opposition. If these cameras are indeed in place, their footage should be publicly accessible," he insisted.
In response to these serious allegations, Congress legislators surged into the well of the House, chanting slogans and causing three adjournments.
LoP Jully also stated that Congress MLAs were denied the opportunity to voice their opinions during the discussion of crucial Bills on September 8, asserting that this constituted a violation of their rights.
In reaction to the Congress's claims, Government Chief Whip Jogeshwar Garg dismissed the allegations, asserting, "The Assembly is not a bedroom or bathroom where privacy is a concern. Everyone is present openly here. The cameras have been set up to promote transparency in proceedings, not to infringe upon anyone's privacy."
As the heated debate continued, Speaker Vasudev Devnani sought to restore order.
Taking a firm stance against disruptive behavior, Speaker Devnani cautioned MLAs not to transform the House into a drama stage and warned that ongoing indiscipline could lead to the session being adjourned.
State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel emphasized that any deadlock should be resolved through discussion.
"We are all striving to run the House effectively and are open to dialogue on this issue," he stated.
In the midst of the ongoing controversy regarding the installation of additional cameras in the Rajasthan Assembly, BJP MLA Gopal Sharma made pointed accusations against Congress legislators.
MLA Sharma contended that the uproar from Congress MLAs over surveillance was merely a cover for their actions.
"They disrupt the House and indulge in inappropriate behavior at night, and this entire uproar is an attempt to distract from it," he alleged.
Such remarks further escalated the political tension, with Congress vehemently objecting to the language used by the BJP MLA.
Meanwhile, Congress MLAs insisted on understanding why the cameras were installed in a manner that predominantly focused on Opposition members, calling it a serious concern.
"Is this how we uphold parliamentary values? This is utterly condemnable," a Congress MLA stated, demanding the immediate removal of the cameras.
As the chaos continued, the Speaker urged Congress legislators to return to their seats to facilitate discussion on the Anti-Conversion Bill.
However, Congress members persisted in their protests against the state government.