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The clash occurred as opposition MPs demanded a discussion on the issue, which Dhankhar refused, leading to an uproar and eventual walkout by the opposition.
NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday sternly condemned the behavior of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O’Brien during a heated debate over the disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat from the Paris Olympics.
The clash occurred as opposition MPs demanded a discussion on the issue, which Dhankhar refused, leading to an uproar and eventual walkout by the opposition.
The controversy erupted after the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, stood up to raise concerns about Phogat’s disqualification. Kharge questioned, “Who is behind the chain of events that led to India missing out on a gold medal opportunity?” However, Dhankhar did not allow Kharge to proceed, prompting O’Brien to loudly demand a chance to speak.
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“You are shouting at the Chair. I condemn this behavior. Your conduct is the ugliest in the house…Next time, I’ll show you the door,” Dhankhar responded, visibly angered by O’Brien’s actions. He criticised senior opposition members for not intervening, stating, “This is unbecoming conduct.”
As the uproar intensified, opposition members from the INDIA bloc staged a walkout in protest. Dhankhar, expressing his frustration, remarked, “For some time, I am not finding myself in a position to sit here…,” and left the House with a “heavy heart.”
Dhankhar further lashed out at the opposition for politicising Phogat’s disqualification. “They (Opposition) 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,” he said.
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Leader of the House and BJP President J.P. Nadda also condemned the opposition’s behaviour, accusing them of politicising a sensitive issue. Nadda criticised the Congress party in particular, saying, “The entire nation is feeling the pain, from the President to the Prime Minister, to myself, and many more. But to politicise this is unacceptable.”
The session had barely begun when the tension escalated. After the listed papers were tabled, Kharge immediately cited the importance of discussing Phogat’s disqualification, but Dhankhar remained firm, moving forward with the scheduled Zero Hour listings. O’Brien’s repeated attempts to be heard were met with Dhankhar’s sharp rebuke.
“They (Opposition) think they are all wise. They think they are the only ones whose hearts are bleeding. The entire nation is in pain because of our girl,” Dhankhar remarked, further condemning the opposition’s attempt to turn Phogat’s disqualification into a political issue.
The disqualification of Vinesh Phogat, one of India’s top wrestlers, came after she was found to be over the 50 kg weight limit during a weigh-in, leading to her exclusion from the Paris Olympics. Phogat, who had earlier defeated defending world and Olympic champion Yui Susaki of Japan, announced her retirement on Thursday following the disqualification.
