New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha witnessed a dramatic turn of events on Monday as Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar rejected all nine notices filed under Rule 267, prompting an uproar from the Opposition over the tragic stampede during the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj.
The Opposition members were demanding accountability from the Uttar Pradesh government over the stampede and staged a walkout in protest after the notices were dismissed.
Chairman Dhankhar addressed the House, saying, "I have received nine notices under Rule 267. Members may recall my detailed ruling on how such issues should be addressed, given on December 8, 2022, and December 19, 2022. These notices do not conform to the directives imparted." Following this, he continued with Zero Hour discussions.
The rejected notices highlighted concerns about the alleged mismanagement of the Maha Kumbh and the growing instances of disrespect towards the Constitution and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
In response to Dhankhar's decision, Opposition MPs raised their voices in protest, demanding a dedicated discussion on the stampede tragedy. Dhankhar, in his remarks, underscored the importance of constructive and exemplary parliamentary conduct, stating, "Our conduct must be exemplary, our deliberations wise and constructive, and our actions driven by the welfare of the 1.4 billion citizens who place their faith in us. A vibrant and functional Parliament is the lifeblood of democracy."
Reflecting on the significance of the Maha Kumbh, Dhankhar said, "The great Maha Kumbh, a resplendent celebration of India's spiritual and cultural essence, offers profound lessons for our journey — unity in diversity, collective well-being, and an abiding commitment to truth, tolerance, and harmony." He added, "As we engage with the global community, let these principles remain the touchstones of our nation, ensuring that the well-being of every citizen remains at the heart of our endeavors."
Following the walkout, Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav accused the Uttar Pradesh administration of gross mismanagement, stating, "The stampede happened because of administrative negligence. Eyewitnesses claim that thousands were killed in the chaos."
Yadav further alleged that the families of victims were being denied access to their loved ones' bodies, no post-mortems were being conducted, and no action had been taken against the responsible officials. "We submitted notices, but they were all rejected," he said.
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari echoed similar concerns, stating, "We walked out for an hour, but we will return and raise this issue again. We are receiving distress calls from people who are crying because they cannot locate their family members." He questioned the lack of transparency, asking, "Why has the official list of the 30 deceased individuals not been made public? Why are their photographs not being released? Can't we at least pay homage to the departed souls?"
RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha also joined in condemning the Uttar Pradesh government's handling of the incident, stating, "The entire country is concerned about those who have lost their lives. Kumbh has been held for centuries — it was held before this government, and it will be held after them. Kumbh is a continuous tradition, but governments are temporary. The country demands accountability, and this issue must be discussed in Parliament."
The Opposition's protests and walkout continued to underline the growing tension over the tragedy and the demand for answers.
With IANS inputs
