Published 16:51 IST, December 20th 2018
'Are we worse than school kids?': Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan fumes over MPs disrupting Parliament sessions
Amid the ongoing commotion in the Lok Sabha over several issues, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Tuesday said she often receives messages that schools function better than parliament and wondered whether these disruptions go on to indicate that the behaviour of the members are worse than school kids.
Amid the ongoing commotion in the Lok Sabha over several issues, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Tuesday said she often receives messages that schools function better than parliament and wondered whether these disruptions go on to indicate that the behaviour of the members is worse than school kids.
As the House re-convened at noon for the second time on Tuesday, members of the AIADMK, the TDP and the Congress started protesting again. The Congress, demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), continued sloganeering on the Rafale issue. The BJP members continued to demand an apology from party president Rahul Gandhi.
The TDP members were demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh while the AIADMK MPs were protesting against a dam on the Cauvery river.
Amid all this, the National Institute of Design (Amendment) Bill, 2018 was introduced in the House.
Upset with the disruption of proceedings, Ms Mahajan said the members were well aware that this was an important session as elections will follow. She said the government was ready for discussion, but the ruckus continued.
"I receive messages several times saying, madam our schools run better. Please understand, what message are we trying to give: that are we worse than school kids," she said addressing the members.
Ms Mahajan said people from other countries were questioning as to "what was happening in our country". She said she will talk to the government to ensure that issues demanded by the opposition are discussed.
"But please, I request you with hands folded. Please maintain a standard in the House. I am sorry, but I am saying this openly. Many a time, people from other countries say, what is happening in India," she said.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said the Supreme Court verdict has made things clear, indicating that there was no need for a JPC on the controversial issue.
The lower house has been witnessing daily disruptions since the winter session began last week. It had passed a bill on transgender rights on Monday.
Updated 17:12 IST, December 20th 2018