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Journalism of Courage
The notice given by Opposition INDIA bloc MPs Tuesday to bring a no-confidence motion against Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar is learnt to accuse him of “partisan” conduct in the Rajya Sabha, recounting some statements made by him allegedly against the Opposition, and says that he has taken it upon himself to be an “impassioned spokesperson” of the government’s policies at public fora.
Sources privy to the notice said the two-page document also mentions Dhankhar’s July 2 remarks in the Rajya Sabha that he became “the Eklavya of the RSS” some 25 years ago, adding that this is “unbecoming” of the non-partisan nature of the presiding officer position he occupies in the House. The notice, it is learnt, goes on to call Dhankhar “explicitly partisan”, conducting the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha in “an extremely biased manner”.
Sources said the Opposition has also alleged that Dhankhar constantly interrupts Opposition members when they attempt to speak, repeatedly makes disparaging comments about them publicly, and criticises them for expressing issues with the functioning of the government. The Opposition has reportedly attached newspaper clippings to make its case.
The Opposition notice specifically mentions the events of Monday, December 9, in the House, when Dhankhar is said to have called some NDA MPs to speak even after rejecting their Rule 267 notice seeking to raise the issue of “rising threats to national security due to alleged nexus between a political party and some organisations working against India”.
The Opposition notice is learnt to also accuse Dhankhar of unfairly using privilege motions to silence Opposition MPs, and of disparaging expression of dissent against the government. In this regard, the petition apparently makes these charges against Dhankhar – that he has denied “legitimate” requests of the Leader of the Opposition to challenge alleged falsehoods of the Prime Minister and Leader of the House; made unacceptable remarks against the Leader of the Opposition; criticised statements by Opposition leaders who are not even Rajya Sabha MPs; and publicly attacked Opposition MPs over views contrary to the position of the government.
Thus, the petition argues, Dhankhar has reduced the “pivotal” role he has as the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha to that of a mere spokesman for the government of the day.
