Published 15:03 IST, September 22nd 2020
Rajya Sabha Dy Chair Harivansh to observe 24-hour fast; PM Modi says 'read his letter'
Dy Chairman Harivansh Singh will observe a 24-hour fast to protest after being heckled by the opposition in Rajya Sabha over the passage of the Farm Bills.
The Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Harivansh Singh, has declared that he will observe a 24-hour fast to protest against the aggressive behaviour of the members of the opposition party amid the passing of the Farm Bills. Writing to the President, Harivansh Singh said that he has been in 'mental agony' since the chaos in Rajya Sabha session and has not been able to sleep for the past 2 days due to the stress. He also said that he hopes to make the opposition party members realise their mistake by fasting for a day.
PM Modi took to Twitter to appreciate the step taken by Harivansh Singh and hailed him for his letter and said that it has renewed people's faith in democracy
"I have read the letter written to the President by Harivansh ji. Each word of the letter has instilled new strength in our faith in democracy. This letter inspiring and praiseworthy. There is truth in it. I strongly suggest that all citizens read it."
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman observe a 24-hour fast
Writing to the President, Harivansh Singh recounted the ruckus created by the opposition in the Rajya Sabha on September 20 and said that their behaviour has harmed the sanctity and reputation of the house and chair. He informed the President that he will be observing a 24-hour fast in an attempt to awaken the moral compass of the people who mistreated him and inspire 'self-purification'. He further added that his fast will not come in the way of his work.
"The son of Bihar, National Poet Dinkar was a two-time member of the Rajya Sabha. Tomorrow, September 23 is his birth anniversary. From September 22 till September 23 morning I will keep a 24-hour fast. It should not affect the House's proceedings, therefore, even during the fast, I will take part in the work as usual," read the letter.
He also went on to call the unruly behaviour 'an attempt to threaten the person in the chair'. Talking about the chaos, he said that the members indulged in violent behaviour and chanted unparliamentary slogans over the passage of the farm bills. Speaking about his humble origins the Rajya Sabha Deputy said that people like him will come and go but the 'temple of democracy' the Parliament will always be a source of hope and inspiration for the citizens.
"The members of the Upper House indulged in violent activities in the name of democracy. They attempted to threaten the person on the Chair. Every rule, system of the Upper House was flouted. The members of the Parliament tore apart the rule book, threw it on me," Harivansh Singh's letter read.
Rajya Sabha MPs' Misconduct
Trinamool's Derek O'Brien and Dola Sen, AAP's Sanjay Singh, CPM's KK Ragesh and Elamaram Karim And Congress' Ripun Bora, Rajiv Satav and Syed Naseer Hussain - were suspended for a week following their misconduct in the Parliament. In a stricter action, their suspension was extended for the remainder of the monsoon session. The MPs staged a protest against the suspension and the farm bills. They spent the night in the lawn of the Parliament in front of the Gandhi statue. On Tuesday, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Singh brought tea prepared in his home for the protesting MPs, a move that was hailed by PM Modi.
The eight Rajya Sabha MPs were suspended from the House by Chairman Venkaiah Naidu on Monday for creating a ruckus in Rajya Sabha while opposing the passage of two farm bills. Several videos of the 'misconduct' show the MP's throwing the rule book towards the Deputy Chairman while others hurl papers. Derek O'Brien from TMC can be seen trying to rip the rule book in from the of Harivansh Singh's face. He also ripped off the mic that was mounted in front of the chair. AAP's Sanjay Singh was spotted manhandling the marshall by grabbing his neck as he tried to stop Singh from entering the well.
Updated 15:03 IST, September 22nd 2020