On the 11th day of the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament, when Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stood up to speak in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Singh Surjewala started showing a paper. At this, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar lashed out at him. Chairman Dhankhar told Surjewala, 'Why are you showing this paper to me? Why are you forcing me to name you?' He further added, 'If you show the paper again, you might be out of the House for a long time.'
Surjewala referred to his name being mentioned by the Agriculture Minister in a reply and sought permission to place the paper on the table of the House. Chairman Dhankhar responded saying, 'I would expect your party leadership to provide you with a refresher course. Read the rulebook.' He added, 'You don't want to listen to what the farmer has to say. You don't want to discuss the welfare of the farmers.' Following this, Shivraj began to speak, listing instances of shootings during Congress governments at the centre and states and the number of farmers killed in these incidents.
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During Shivraj's speech, opposition members created a ruckus and walked out of the House. After the opposition's walkout, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said, 'When there is disruption from one side in the House, distraction without knowing the arrangement of the chair from the other side is also created.' He emphasized that during discussions on farmer issues, it is the fundamental duty of every member to participate seriously. The Chairman added that during the discussion on farmers' issues, the members were given as much time as they needed.
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He went on to say, 'The disruption created is a disregard for the chair, which is a very serious matter. Surjewala initiated the discussion, sidelining the interests of the farmer and interrupting the minister's speech, which I condemn. I urge House members to make the discussion meaningful.' He expressed concern over the declining quality of discussions, noting, 'People no longer look up to us with respect. They don't follow what discussions are happening.'
