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Journalism of Courage
A Pakistani court’s decision to grant bail to 26/11 accused Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi so outraged members of the Lok Sabha Friday that it brought to fore rare unanimity in what has essentially been a session of discord. Setting aside differences, Congress and BJP leaders swapped drafts, did rewrites and nodded at each other to cobble together a House resolution urging the government to pressure Pakistan into reversing the decision on Lakhvi.
And all this happened while Speaker Sumitra Mahajan carried on with daily business, presiding over zero-hour proceedings after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had assured the House that though a strong message had already been sent to Pakistan, the concern and sentiments of members too would be conveyed.
Minutes after Modi’s statement, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor consulted Mallikarjun Kharge, leader of the party in the Lok Sabha, and approached the Prime Minister with a sheet in hand. Modi directed Tharoor to BJP veteran Lal Krishna Advani who also sits in the front row. Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu joined Tharoor as Advani went through what appeared to be the text of a draft resolution. Tharoor pulled out a pen after Advani seemed to suggest a few changes.
While that work was in progress, Naidu was seen having a chat with Modi. Tharoor then handed the sheet to Naidu who called Minister of State Rajiv Pratap Rudy. Gesturing with his fingers that he get it typed, Naidu gave the sheet to Rudy who walked out.
As Sushma Swaraj walked in to make her statement — the Prime Minister had earlier said she would brief the House on Monday because she was preoccupied with the visit of the Bangladesh President — Tharoor returned to his seat and colleagues. Once the minister had spoken, Naidu signalled to Tharoor who again crossed over. Rudy, in the meantime, had returned with the typed sheet.
As the Speaker asked members to make their zero-hour submissions, the front row turned into a huddle. Swaraj went through the text, suggested changes to Tharoor who again pulled out his pen. Advani joined in while Naidu and Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai sat at either end of the bench, peering over shoulders. Modi looked on, not intervening in the brainstorming. As the text was being changed again, Rudy too came in and Thambidurai gave him his seat, settling himself on one across the aisle.
From the other side, Kharge and the rest of the Opposition watched, some nodding their heads appreciatively. The reworked sheet was typed again and later handed over to the Speaker who read it out to reflect “the unanimous sense of the House”. All thumped desks and the resolution was adopted.
