New Delhi, Feb 2: Proceedings in the lower house came to a standstill today following a sharp exchange between the government and the opposition over India-China relations. The conflict arose during the discussion on the President’s Address when Rahul Gandhi tried to read from accounts linked to a former Army chief’s upcoming memoir.
The government argued that the move was a breach of House rules, asserting that the book has not yet been cleared for publication. Home Minister Amit Shah accused Gandhi of defying the Chair and suggested that stricter rules be invoked for disregarding the Speaker’s directions.
“Why can I not speak on India-China relations if I am not quoting any book?” Gandhi asked, after being told by Speaker Om Birla to avoid references to the unpublished work. He noted that the material in question raised serious points about the decisions made by the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister.
Rajnath Singh countered this by saying that “unofficial conversations” or unverified material have no place in formal proceedings. He mentioned that the book could not be treated as an authentic source as it is still under official review.
Gandhi argued that the President’s Address covers the nation’s overall situation, including foreign policy. He noted that the Prime Minister and other senior leaders had allowed his party’s character to be questioned earlier in the session, justifying his rebuttal.
The session was marked by constant interruptions, with the Speaker ruling that House rules do not permit quoting any article that does not directly relate to the specific proceedings of Parliament. The House was adjourned shortly after the disagreement reached a peak.
