Several MPs from opposing parties gave notices in Rajya Sabha on the eleventh day of the Monsoon session of the Parliament, asking for a lengthy discussion of the Manipur issue under Rule 267.
With the Chairman’s approval, the Rajya Sabha may suspend the rules for the day’s agenda in order to discuss an urgent topic. Dr. Syed Naseer Hussain of the Congress, Raghav Chadha of the Aam Aadmi Party, and Manoj Jha of the RJD have all requested a suspension of business to discuss the situation in Manipur.
However, the Centre has agreed to hold a short-duration discussion, on the issue, not exceeding more than two hours, under Rule 176, which the Opposition’s I.N.D.I.A bloc is objecting saying they want a “full meal discusison” and not just a toast and butter discussion of one-two hours.
Earlier in the day, Opposition members of the I.N.D.I.A bloc on Wednesday staged a walkout from Rajya Sabha over their demands for discussion on Manipur violence under Rule 267 and a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The debate on Manipur violence under Rule 176 will not be limited to 2.5 hours, according to Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, who made this announcement shortly after the House convened for the day.
According to Rule 176, there is no time limit for discussing the Manipur problem, he added, adding that the parties “will have full say.”
He said that 60 notices had been sent in accordance with Rule 267 regarding the violence in Manipur, but he had already communicated his conclusion.