Uproar in RS, Oppn claims ‘historical files’ destroyed

MPs alleged that the contents of the Rail Budget were leaked.

The Upper House of Parliament witnessed an uproar with the Opposition citing media reports alleging the Home Ministry had destroyed over 1.5 lakh important and historical files. Despite the government refuting the allegations, the members demanded a clarification from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The issue was first raised by CPM MP P Rajeeve who said the destroyed files included historical documents relating to Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination and the Cabinet discussions held immediately thereafter. He alleged that instructions to destroy the files were given by the PM immediately after taking oath. “I would like to know why this decision was taken in a hurry,” Rajeeve said, with several opposition MPs associating themselves with his concern.

“You cannot scrap history by destroying secret files,” JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav said. Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad dismissed the charges, saying, “I deny it emphatically that the Prime Minister had given such instructions.”

Story continues below this ad

While the Chair ruled that the matter should be put to rest after the minister’s statement, the members refused to relent and sought a reply from the Prime Minister.

Earlier, during the day, the Congress upped the ante leading to adjournment of the question hour when the MPs alleged that the contents of the Rail Budget were leaked. Deputy Chairman P J Kurien disallowed the Congress members demand to grant privilege notice and said it is still under consideration of Chairman Hamid Ansari and hence, he would not be able to allow any discussion on it.

Waving the copies of newspapers, Congress members including Madhusudan Mistry, Satyavrat Chaturvedi and V Hanumantha Rao wanted to mention the issue of alleged leakage of Rail budget.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram