The Lok Sabha again saw disruptions on Wednesday with the BJP demanding action against Congress member Rahul Gandhi for his remarks in London and the Opposition hitting back at the government and seeking an investigation into the Adani Group issue. Soon after the House reassembled at 2pm, members from treasury benches started raising the slogan ‘Rahul Gandhi maafi mango’ (Rahul Gandhi apologise). Some Opposition members were then seen carrying placards and standing near the table of the House. BJD member Bhartruhari Mahtab, who was in the chair, asked the members to maintain order in the House. However, both sides continued raising slogans. Amid the din, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt introduced the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill 2023 in the Lok Sabha. The Bill is aimed at empowering the commander-in-chief or the officer-in-command of inter-services organisations for the maintenance of discipline and proper discharge of their duties in respect of service personnel who are subject to the Air Force Act 1950, the Army Act 1950 and the Navy Act 1957 and are serving under or are attached to their command. Asking members to maintain order in the House, Mahtab said, “As far as I know, papers are allowed in the House, not placards.” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said the speaker had categorically stated that placards are not allowed in the House. Attacking Gandhi for his remarks, Joshi said, “We are receiving information and calls from diaspora across the globe that a member of this House is insulting India… He has cast aspersions on the speaker. He has levelled allegations against the speaker… Directly, this is an allegation on the speaker and institution. This is the height of insult to the Parliament,” Joshi said, demanding action against the Congress MP. Joshi further said, “Rahul Gandhi has said that MPs who stand outside the Parliament have also been arrested. Where have they been arrested? Saying things like this and inviting the other countries to intervene in the affairs of a sovereign country is a gross insult (ghor apmaan) of India.” “Instead of seeking an apology for this gross insult, they are bringing placards in the House. Therefore, action should be taken. This is our demand,” Joshi said. Mahtab adjourned the Lok Sabha to meet again at 11am on Thursday.
