Dhankhar vs Derek O’Brien: TMC MP Criticized for ‘Shouting at Chair’ in Rajya Sabha
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/8th August 2024
In a tense session of the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar sternly condemned Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O’Brien for his conduct during a heated debate. The confrontation arose amid ongoing discussions about wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the upcoming Paris Olympics, a topic that has sparked considerable debate and emotions in the political arena.
The altercation began as the House was embroiled in a ruckus over Phogat’s disqualification, which has become a flashpoint in Parliament. During the uproar, Dhankhar accused O’Brien of shouting at the Chair, a breach of parliamentary decorum that the Chairman did not take lightly. Dhankhar’s rebuke was direct and unequivocal, as he told O’Brien, “You are shouting at the Chair. I condemn this behaviour. Your conduct is the ugliest in the house… Next time, I’ll show you the door.”
This sharp reprimand highlighted the escalating tensions in the session, where emotions were already running high. Dhankhar also took the opportunity to criticize senior members of the Opposition, suggesting that they were not sufficiently addressing or correcting O’Brien’s actions. He labeled the behavior as “unbecoming conduct” and expressed his disappointment with how the situation was being handled.
The Chairman’s frustration extended beyond just the actions of the TMC MP. Dhankhar pointed out that the Opposition seemed to believe it was the only group affected by Phogat’s disqualification. He argued that the entire nation was grieving over the wrestler’s situation, and he chastised the Opposition for trying to politicize the issue. “They think they are the only ones whose hearts are bleeding… The entire nation is in pain because of the girl. Everyone is sharing the situation, but to monetise it and politicise it is the greatest disrespect to the girl. That girl has a long way to go,” Dhankhar remarked, highlighting the sensitivity of the issue.
As the session became increasingly chaotic, with members of the Opposition staging a walkout in protest, Dhankhar’s dismay was palpable. He expressed his deep sorrow over the conduct of the members, and in a rare move, he decided to leave the House temporarily. “For some time, I am not finding myself in a position to sit here…,” Dhankhar said, departing the chamber “with a heavy heart.”
The backdrop to this parliamentary drama is the unfortunate disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the Paris Olympics, a development that has resonated across the nation. Phogat, who made history as the first Indian woman wrestler to reach an Olympic final, faced disqualification after weighing in over her 50kg division during the Wednesday morning weigh-in. The news was a shocking blow, particularly after her impressive victories over world and Olympic champion Yui Susaki from Japan and Cuba’s Yusneylys Guzman.
Phogat’s disqualification has not only ended her Olympic dreams but also led to her sudden retirement announcement. The incident has prompted Leader of Opposition and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to raise questions in the Rajya Sabha, seeking clarity on “who is behind” the circumstances leading to her disqualification.
The events of Thursday’s Rajya Sabha session underscore the intense emotions and high stakes involved in parliamentary proceedings, especially when issues of national pride and sporting achievements are at the forefront. As the story of Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification continues to unfold, it remains a deeply contentious issue, both inside and outside Parliament.
