TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee’s remarks against Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia during the discussion on the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 led to disruption in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
Although a senior TMC member from Serampore later apologized, the heated debate continued and the Speaker adjourned the House for the day.
During the debate on the bill, Banerjee accused the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government of non-cooperation during the Covid-19 pandemic. Opposing this, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityananda Rai said that M has helped all the states and successfully managed the crisis by taking everyone along. Rai also accused the West Bengal government of trying to create a hurdle in the transportation of the Covid vaccine from his region by not giving traffic clearance.
Scindia stood in support of Rai and said that India had emerged as a “world brother” during the pandemic and had helped all countries in need around the world.
After this, Banerjee made some remarks against Scindia, which were dismissed by Speaker Om Birla.
Despite Birla repeatedly urging members to speak on the bill, verbal sparring continued between the Treasury and opposition benches. The speaker then adjourned the meeting for 30 minutes.
When the House resumed at 4.40 pm, Banerjee apologized for her remarks, which Scindia did not accept. “…I do not accept his apology for the personal attack he made on me and the women of India using the words he used,” he said.
“All of us have come to this House with the spirit of contributing to the development of the nation… but, we have also come with the spirit of self-respect. No person in his life will stand to compromise with his self-esteem. Attack us on our policies, attack our ideas, but if you are personal, definitely be prepared for a response,” Scindia said.
Banerjee apologized again but the opposition from the Treasury Bench continued.
A. Raja, who is presiding over the House, said that the matter was brought before the Speaker and the Speaker made it clear that a mutual understanding had been reached.
As the uproar continued, he adjourned the meeting till 5 pm. After the House reconvened, the Speaker called SP member Ram Shiromani Verma to speak on the Bill, but the House was adjourned for the day due to obstruction.
Meanwhile, Congress member Gaurav Gogoi raised the issue of Manipur violence and alleged that the government was “using George Soros as a shield to hide its failure in Manipur”. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said the situation in Manipur has been addressed “very efficiently at the highest level”. He said, “They (Congress) should respond and let the nation know what is the connection between George Soros and all this internal turmoil…”