Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned temporarily as some opposition members continued to protest; the Parliamentarians walked out after permission for a discussion on Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat's disqualification from the Paris Olympics was not granted.
The uproar began barely minutes after the Rajya Sabha session commenced, forcing Chairman Dhankhar to walk out of his chair in distress. "I have only one option, with a sad heart. I am not going away from my oath, but what I have seen today, is the way I have been treated. Physically, I am not able to sit here," he said before getting up from the chair and walking out.
Earlier, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge had raised questions over Phogat's disqualification and said, "Who is behind this and how only 100 grams led to her disqualification?" The Chair didn't permit a discussion on the issue after which the opposition MPs, including Derek O'Brien of Trinamool Congress, raised a ruckus shouting slogans against the government.
Chairman Dhankhar lambasted the behaviour of the Trinamool Congress members, saying, "Mr Derek O'Brien, you are shouting at the Chair. Your conduct is the ugliest in the House. I condemn your action. Next time, I will show you the door. How dare you shout at the Chair?"
The Vice-President also condemned the acts of the senior Opposition leaders, saying, "This is unbecoming conduct. I will not countenance it." He also looked at the larger picture: "We have seen the ugliest of scenes. We saw a dark phase of our democracy during the Emergency. It starts with challenging the Parliamentary institutions, and there is a challenge here.
Expressing shared national concern over Phogat's disqualification, Dhankhar said, "The entire nation is in pain because of our girl. From the President to the Prime Minister to myself, everybody is hurt by the situation. But to monetise and politicize it is the greatest disrespect to the girl. That girl has a long way to go."
Mr Dhankhar also lauded the Haryana government for its prompt responsiveness, saying, "The state of Haryana immediately announced they will give her all commendations, all financial reliefs given to a medal winner.".
Later, Leader of the House J.P. Nadda condemned the Opposition's action and said that everyone should strive for national unity. "The people, who are working in the Parliamentary system for a long time, this behaviour is questionable and a matter of concern," he said.
Union Minister Nadda took a cue from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's description of Phogat as a "champion of champions" and also attacked the politicisation of the issue. He finally added that the government is very serious about the issue, and therefore, before stating, he added, "When the entire nation is standing with Vinesh, and all efforts are being made by the government, Sports Ministry, and the Olympic Association to seek redressal on this issue, it is clear that the opposition lacks any solid issue to raise.".
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