Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar convened a meeting with floor leaders from both Houses of Parliament after he was compelled to leave the upper house due to ongoing disruptions from the opposition on Thursday. The uproar was centered around the disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat from the Paris Olympics 2024.
Dhankar described the scene in the House as “unprecedented” and “indigestible,” criticizing the opposition for their conduct. “It is our bounden duty to take tough decisions. Sublimity has been misunderstood as fragility, and persuasion has been mistaken for weakness,” he stated.
Earlier in the day, Dhankar briefly ceased presiding over the session and exited the House, citing a lack of support. This action followed a walkout by opposition members who were frustrated after their request to discuss Phogat’s disqualification was not addressed.
Dhankar condemned the opposition’s actions, calling them an attack on Indian democracy and an insult to the dignity of his position. He remarked, “Making this sacred House a center of anarchy…This challenge is not against me personally but against the post of the Chairman.”
Dhankar expressed his disappointment over what he saw as disrespect from opposition members and clarified that his departure was not an attempt to avoid his responsibilities. “You set aflame democratic traditions…insult to the chair,” he said, referring to the protests in the House.
On Wednesday, MPs from the INDIA Bloc protested at Parliament, demanding justice for Phogat. Congress Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Surjewala questioned the government’s silence on the issue. “The whole country hopes she will rise again and fight. But why is the Government of India silent?” Surjewala asked.
Surjewala also urged the Indian Olympic Association to address the matter with the International Olympic Committee, highlighting concerns over discrepancies in Phogat’s weight measurements. “The Indian Olympic Association should discuss this with the International Olympic Committee,” he suggested.
Surjewala concluded, “This medal is not just for Vinesh but for the whole country, and the BJP needs to understand that.”