Shimla, Aug 27 (UNI) The Monsoon session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly commenced on a turbulent note on Tuesday, with the Opposition demanding an adjournment of business to discuss the allegedly deteriorating law and order situation in the state and the treasury benches condemning Bharatiya Janata Party MP Kangana Ranaut’s remarks on farmers’ protest.
The day witnessed heated exchanges, a walkout by the Opposition, and an intense debate over Kangana Ranaut’s remarks.
Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur submitted an adjournment motion under Rule 67, citing recent incidents that highlighted the fragile law and order situation.
Thakur referred to a violent clash between two groups in Baddi, which left two individuals critically injured, with one still battling for life at PGI Chandigarh.
He also mentioned a disturbing incident in Palampur, where a woman was assaulted, and accused the government of mismanagement, pointing out that several police officers were being kept in reserve rather than being deployed to maintain public safety.
Harshvardhan Chauhan, Parliamentary Affairs Minister, countered the motion, asserting that the police had already arrested the individuals involved in the Baddi incident and taken necessary action.
He emphasized that while the issues raised were significant, the government had responded swiftly, rendering the motion under Rule 67 unnecessary. Chauhan further informed the House that similar motions were received under Rule 130, and the matter could be discussed during the appropriate time.
The debate intensified as BJP MLA Randhir Sharma insisted on allowing the adjournment motion, arguing that crime was escalating in the state, with daylight incidents such as a shooting in a court premises and molestation of school students raising alarm.
He criticized the government for failing to ensure public safety, alleging that even former Congress MLAs were involved in some of these incidents.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu defended the government’s record, stating that they had taken strict action against criminal elements, including drug dealers involved in the Baddi clash. He questioned the Opposition’s motives, accusing them of trying to protect the interests of drug peddlers by bringing such issues to the House.
Sukhu reiterated that the government was committed to cracking down on the drug mafia and urged the Opposition not to politicize law enforcement efforts.
As the Speaker weighed in, he clarified that the incidents mentioned were indeed serious, but the government had already taken cognizance and acted upon them.
He ruled that the motion under Rule 67 was not warranted and suggested that these issues could be discussed under Rule 130. This decision prompted the entire Opposition to stage a walkout in protest, decrying the Speaker’s refusal to allow their motion.
In a move to shift the focus, Harshvardhan Chauhan raised the issue of a recent statement by BJP MP Kangana Ranaut, where she allegedly equated protesting farmers with rapists and murderers from Bangladesh and China.
Chauhan criticized the statement as deeply unfortunate and urged the House to condemn it. He noted that the BJP had distanced itself from Ranaut’s remarks, but insisted that the House should formally denounce such divisive rhetoric.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri accused Jai Ram Thakur of failing to fulfill his role as a constructive opposition leader, arguing that bringing an adjournment motion over a gang war incident was misguided. Agnihotri noted that even some BJP MLAs had raised the same issues under Rule 130, suggesting a lack of coherence within the Opposition.
The Chief Minister further taunted the Opposition, saying their actions were more about political posturing than genuine concern for public safety.
He urged the Opposition to focus on pressing issues, such as the extensive damage caused by the monsoon, rather than on isolated incidents.
Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi called for an first information report against Kangana Ranaut for her inflammatory comments, while Congress leader Kuldeep Singh Rathore condemned the MP’s statement in the strongest terms.
As Rathore spoke, the Opposition re-entered the House, leading to a brief disruption in proceedings as they vocally opposed his remarks.
In the end, the Speaker confirmed that the House officially condemned Ranaut’s statement, noting that the BJP leadership had already done so.
