In a heated session on Tuesday, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar condemned opposition MPs for walking out during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech.
The walkout occurred after Dhankhar denied Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leader of the Opposition, permission to speak. The refusal prompted loud chants of "LoP ko bolne do" ("let the LoP speak") and pleas from Kharge for the opportunity to intervene.
As the opposition MPs exited the House, Dhankhar accused them of disrespecting the Constitution.
He expressed his disappointment, stating, "I am pained by this. They have not only left the House... but also their dignity. They did not show their backs to me... but to the Constitution. They have not disrespected me... they have disrespected their oath. There is nothing worse than this disrespect."
Dhankhar emphasized that the opposition's actions were a challenge to the Constitution, saying, "Sitting in this chair, I am hurt to see such disrespect. They have made a joke of the Constitution. The Constitution is not just a book to hold in your hand. I hope they will reflect on this and remember their duty."
His reference to the Constitution as "not just a book to hold in your hand" was seen as a criticism of opposition leaders, including Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who took their oaths while holding copies of the Constitution.
The Constitution played a significant role in the 2024 general election, with opposition parties warning that the BJP intended to alter key aspects of it. The BJP, on the other hand, highlighted the Emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, with PM Modi stating that it reminded the nation of how the Congress "subverted basic freedoms and trampled over the Constitution."
The walkout also followed PM Modi's criticism of former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, now a Rajya Sabha MP, accusing her of running the UPA I and II governments from behind the scenes.
As the opposition left, PM Modi mocked them, saying, "The country is watching... those who spread lies do not have strength to hear the truth. Those who do not have courage to face truth... do not have courage to listen to answers to questions... They are insulting the glorious tradition of the Upper House."
Earlier in the Lok Sabha, PM Modi, along with union ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, intervened as Congress MP Rahul Gandhi delivered a fiery speech targeting the BJP.