New Delhi, March 27 (HS). The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Jagdeep Dhankhar, on Thursday rejected the notice of privilege violation proposal against Home Minister Amit Shah, submitted by Congress Chief Whip Jairam Ramesh.
On Thursday morning, after placing necessary documents before the house, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar informed the members that Amit Shah’s statements did not violate anyone’s privileges, and therefore, the notice is rejected. He stated that it is unfortunate that rules pertaining to privileges were violated in haste to gain media attention. He emphasized that the house will not be allowed to become a platform for tarnishing the reputation of its members.
The Chairman noted that Amit Shah had validated his statements after responding to the debate on the Disaster Management Bill 2024 by referencing a press statement issued by the Press Information Bureau of the Government of India on January 24, 1998, in which then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru announced the launch of the PMNRF, which was to be managed by a committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the President of the Indian National Congress, and a few others. He remarked that this had been read carefully and that no violation had occurred. The truth was fully adhered to, as confirmed by the documents available to members. The violation of privilege is a serious matter.
The Chairman stated that members approach the media, exaggerate, and attempt to damage reputations. This house will not be a platform for ruining people’s reputations. We must protect it.
On Wednesday, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh submitted a notice of privilege violation against Shah for accusing Congress Parliamentary Party leader Sonia Gandhi. This notice was given under Rule 188 of the procedures and conduct of business of the Rajya Sabha. The notice mentioned that although the Home Minister did not name Sonia Gandhi during the discussion, he nonetheless referred to her and made accusations regarding the functioning of the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund (NPMRF). Congress had accused the Home Minister of tarnishing Sonia Gandhi’s reputation.
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
