New Delhi: Lok Sabha on Monday witnessed high-voltage drama after Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh interupted Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi as he quoted a magazine article based on unpublished memoirs of former Army Chief General (Retd) Manoj Mukund Naravane on the Ladakh standoff.
After Gandhi began quoting from Gen Naravane’s unpublished book during his reply to the motion of thanks on the President’s address in Lok Sabha, the Defence Minister objected to him. He said that quoting from an unpublished book was against the rules of the House. Singh even asked the Congress leader to authenticate it before the members of the Lower House.
Here's What Rahul Gandhi Said:
“The Defence Minister, Home Minister and the Prime Minister raise questions on our party, party leaders, and our nationalism. This article writes about the PM’s character... This is neither about China, nor the PM,” Gandhi said.
“What does it contain which is scaring them so much? If they are not scared, I should be allowed to read on,” the Congress leader added.
Rajnath Singh Raises Objection:
Responding to the Congress leader’s charges, Singh said, “I want that the LoP, Lok Sabha (Rahul Gandhi), should present before the House the book he is quoting from, because the book he is referring to has not been published.”
Amit Shah's Reaction:
Shah also raised objections to Gandhi’s remarks. "Tejasvi Surya (BJP MP) in his speech has not raised any questions on the Opposition's character or their patriotism," the Union Home Minister said.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav Akhilesh Yadav backed the Congress MP. "The matter relating to China is very sensitive. LoP, Lok Sabha should be allowed to speak," Yadav said.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also objected to Gandhi for quoting from the "unpublished" book. Amid the high-voltage drama, the Lower House was adjourned till 3 pm.
