Asserting that “temples of democracy cannot be allowed to be outraged”, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his comments regarding the microphones of Opposition being turned off in Parliament, saying such a thing was done during the "black chapter of Emergency, but it is not possible now". The Congress leader told British parliamentarians in London on Monday that functioning microphones in Lok Sabha are often silenced against the Opposition. He had made the comment during an event organised by veteran Indian-origin Opposition Labour Party MP Virendra Sharma in the Grand Committee Room within the House of Commons complex. “There cannot be a bigger lie to set a narrative. Some people are trying to undermine the achievements of the country due to their short-sightedness,” Dhankhar lamented Gandhi. "Democratic values are important and we cannot allow temples of democracy to be outraged as we are the mother of democracy,” said Dhankhar, who is the chairman of Rajya Sabha. "I met Baba Ramdev a few days ago and he suggested me a few yogic practices to ward off anger. I then asked him to advice me a special exercise that can safeguard the dignity of Parliament. He (Ramdev) could only smile at me on my query," said the Vice President. On his first visit to Uttar Pradesh as the Vice-President, Dhankhar hailed the law and order situation in the state as “durust” (in a good shape) and said, “The development in the state would have not reached the level it is today without improving the law and order situation.” “Uttar Pradesh is the spine of the Indian democracy. I feel elated when I hear from people, and I already know, that this state has changed a lot over the years. UP has now become ‘Uttam Pradesh’ (a better state) and has been listed among the top states on the development chart. There was a time when anarchy ruled here, but now the state is known for development,” said Dhankhar addressing the inaugural function of a three-day Ayurveda festival at Chaudhary Charan Singh University(CCSU). Later, Dhankhar unveiled the statue of freedom fighter Dhan Singh Kotwal at Police Training Institute here. On the occasion, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the next phase of the police training programme. “We have provided the infrastructure and money to the institute for upgradation so that higher-rank policemen can also get the best training here and give their best to maintain the law and order situation in the state,” said the CM. “The Uttar Pradesh Police has done a commendable job in improving the law and order because a few years ago people were fearing passing through the state owing to the prevailing anarchy. People from other states wanted to visit UP but they could hardly muster the courage to enter the state a few years ago because there was no guarantee that they would return to their homes safely after living in UP for a few days. The UP Police have now changed this perception,” said Adityanath. UP Governor Anandiben Patel accompanied Dhankhar and Adityanath to the function. Earlier speaking at CCSU, Adityanath said, “When I was approached by the organisers for the Ayurveda festival, I told them that I had already attended an Ayurveda festival in Kanpur recently. So, our Vice-President would be the best person as the Chief Guest at the function. We are happy that Dhankharji accepted the invitation and graced the occasion with his presence." “We should be thankful to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modiji for reviving traditional medical practices like Ayurveda, Homeopathy and Unani medicine and establishing the Ayush Ministry dedicated to such practices which are being followed in our country for a long time,” said the CM. Adityanath said the state currently has a total of 3,959 Ayush hospitals benefiting people on a very large scale. “It was not possible without the Prime Minister's vision to revive traditional medical practices,” added the CM. — With PTI
