"Engaging In Theatrics A Habit": VP Jagdeep Dhankhar Criticises Unruly Trinamool MP Derek O'Brien In Yet Another Embarrassment For Party

In the Rajya Sabha, after a week of slogans and unruly disruptions regarding the Manipur violence issue, a confrontation between Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien took place today (28 July).

The chairman, and country's Vice President, Dhankar, admonished the TMC MP of consistently resorting to theatrics, which drew some ire from O'Brien.

The TMC MP argued and claimed that he was quoting the rules of the House and demanding a serious discussion on Manipur.

The altercation occurred while Dhankhar was addressing the House members. He emphasised that the frequent disruptions in the House do not garner respect from the public.

Additionally, he expressed his concern over the situation in the House, stating that he had been receiving alarming feedback from various sources.

The Chairman stated, "Today, I have received 47 notices under Rule 267 expressing concerns about the prevailing situation in Manipur. This has been the situation throughout the entire week."

Dhankhar urged the House to prioritise national interests over partisan concerns and work together for a short-duration discussion. He acknowledged the worrisome inputs received from various sources and expressed his willingness to engage in the discussion.

During the discussion, the Chairman referred to the limited acceptance of Rule 267 notices and emphasised the significance of parliamentary proceedings for the entire nation.

However, O'Brien interrupted in an unruly manner, stating that they were already aware of this fact.

The situation escalated when the Chairman requested O'Brien to listen and take his seat. Despite the request, the TMC MP continued speaking, prompting Dhankhar to reprimand him of engaging in theatrics.

Dhankhar highlighted O'Brien's habit of rising and creating a ruckus instead of showing respect to the chair.

In response, O'Brien objected to being labeled as engaging in theatrics. He emphasised the need for a serious discussion on Manipur under Rule 267, which is an important emergency provision.

The Rajya Sabha chairman then became angry at the interruption and instructed O'Brien to stop thumping the table, stressing that it was not theatrics. He warned that he would call the leaders as they could not tolerate such behavior.

Thereafter, disregarding the visibly angry MP's continued hand-waving and disruption, Dhankhar adjourned the House until Monday (31 July).

The opposition has been urging for a discussion under Rule 267, which grants a Rajya Sabha MP the special power to suspend the pre-decided agenda of the House with the Chairman's approval.

Discussions initiated under this rule are rarely accepted. Parliamentary records indicate that such discussions were only allowed 11 times between 1990 and 2016.

The most recent instance was in 2016 when chairman Hamid Ansari permitted a debate on the "demonetisation of currency".

The government has declined to have a discussion under Rule 267 and instead proposed discussing the issue under Rule 176, considering the sensitivity of the issue.

Rule 176 allows for a short-duration discussion, but does not provide for a formal motion or voting.