In Rajasthan, six Congress MLAs, including party president Govind Singh Dotasra, were suspended from the Budget Session and spent the night in the House’s well following a protest. The chaos erupted during a Question Hour when Social Justice Minister Avinash Gehlot made a controversial remark about former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The opposition objected, leading to multiple adjournments and the suspension of the MLAs for what was termed “indecent” conduct. Congress leaders criticized the BJP government for suppressing dissent and announced a statewide protest against the remarks. They argue this is a tactic to distract from the government’s inefficiencies.
Jaipur:
On Friday, six Congress MLAs were suspended for the remainder of the Budget Session of the Rajasthan Assembly and spent the night in the Well of the House.
Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra, Deputy Leader of Opposition, Ramkesh Meena, Amin Kagzi, Zakir Hussain Gesawat, Hakeem Ali Khan, and Sanjay Kumar Jatav were accompanied by fellow party members.
Their initial action was to stage a sit-in protest within the House against their suspensions, after which they were seen resting on bedding.
आज रात्रि, विधानसभा में ! जनहित की बुलंद आवाज़!
We will thwart any attempt to silence your voice and will stand firm on every issue!#RajasthanVidhanSabha #जनताकीआवाज pic.twitter.com/2XVcYOvZJQ
— Zakir Hussain Gesawat – MLA🇮🇳 (@ZakirHussainINC) February 21, 2025
On Friday, the Rajasthan Assembly was thrown into chaos following comments made by a minister regarding hostels for working women, resulting in three adjournments and the suspension of six Congress MLAs.
During Question Hour, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Avinash Gehlot pointed to the opposition and stated, “In the 2023-24 budget, as always, you named the scheme (for working women’s hostels) after your ‘dadi’ (grandmother) Indira Gandhi.”
Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully vehemently opposed the minister’s statement and insisted that the “inappropriate word” be expunged from the records. This led several Congress MLAs to start chanting slogans as they moved towards the well of the House.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel defended the minister, saying there was nothing unparliamentary about the term ‘dadi’.
Uproar In Rajasthan Assembly
The House was initially adjourned for half an hour, then until 2 PM, and once again until 4 PM. When the session resumed at 4 PM, government chief whip Jogeshwar Garg stated that the opposition had overstepped their bounds.
“The speed and intention with which they approached the chair and the incident of getting close to the Speaker is certainly condemnable and not a pardonable offense. Therefore, I request that due to the indecent and condemnable behavior of the opposition members in the House, the following members should be suspended for the remaining period of the current budget session… Govind Singh Dotasara, Ramkesh Meena, Amin Kagzi, Jakir Hussain, Hakim Ali, and Sanjay Kumar,” he was quoted as stating by news agency PTI.
Mr. Jully later asserted that the minister had made “indecent” comments, accusing the BJP of trying to suppress the opposition’s voice.
“Minister Avinash Gehlot made indecent comments about respected leader Indira Gandhi ji, who sacrificed her life for the country, yet our MLAs were suspended. This indicates that the BJP is operating with a dictatorial approach. Not allowing the Leader of the Opposition to speak on the Governor’s address and now suspending six MLAs, including the state Congress president, is reflective of the BJP’s aim to suppress the opposition’s voice,” he posted on X in Hindi.
Senior party leader and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot criticized the Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma-led BJP government in the state for attempting to mask its failures.
“Initially, a minister from the BJP made an indecent comment regarding former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and subsequently suspended the Congress MLAs from the House for protesting against the lack of an apology. This behavior mirrors what occurs in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Just as MPs are suspended there to conceal their failures, similar actions are being taken here,” he expressed in a post in Hindi.
“With no achievements to showcase over the past year, the Leader of Opposition was denied a chance to deliver a speech highlighting the government’s failures during the address. Now, our state president and MLAs representing Dalit, backward, tribal, and minority communities have been suspended from the Budget session. Is this not a tactic to divert attention from the Budget discussion?” he questioned.
Congress plans to stage a statewide protest against the remarks on Saturday.
(With agency inputs)