6 days ago
Himachal BJP Moves Privilege Motion Over National Anthem Dispute
A disagreement began in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly over what happened during the National Anthem.
The Congress-led government said some BJP members disrespected the anthem.
The BJP said its members stood and sang properly.
BJP leaders asked for video footage to support their version.
They then filed a privilege complaint against Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
The chief minister repeated his accusation and said the BJP should apologize.
The government also said it may bring a privilege motion against the Opposition.
The Assembly became noisy for a short time during the argument.
The Speaker said comments made outside the Assembly would not be part of its official record.
The BJP submitted a breach-of-privilege notice against Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur said BJP members stood and sang the anthem, citing Assembly video footage.
Sukhu maintained that the Opposition insulted the National Anthem and demanded an apology from BJP members.
The dispute began after BJP MLA Vipin Singh Parmar reportedly raised his hand before the anthem concluded.
The House saw brief ruckus and sloganeering, while the Speaker said remarks outside the House were not official record.
- Who
- The BJP, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, and other Himachal Pradesh Assembly members.
- What
- The BJP filed a breach-of-privilege notice against Sukhu over allegations that Opposition members disrespected the National Anthem.
- Where
- The Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha.
- When
- The incident occurred on August 21, the opening day of the monsoon session; the dispute continued on Wednesday and was discussed again on August 24.
- Why
- The dispute followed conflicting claims about a BJP member raising his hand before the National Anthem ended and about questions raised over singing Vande Mataram afterward.
BJP’s Position
Congress Government’s Position
Whether the anthem was disrespected
BJP’s Position
The BJP said its MLAs stood and sang the National Anthem, and that the allegation against them was false after reviewing Assembly video footage.
Congress Government’s Position
Sukhu and Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said the Opposition had disrespected the National Anthem. Sukhu also said raising questions about it amounted to disrespect.
What happened during the ceremony
BJP’s Position
The BJP disputed the claim that its members disrespected the anthem and sought an apology from Sukhu.
Congress Government’s Position
The government said BJP MLA Vipin Singh Parmar raised his hand before Jana Gana Mana concluded to request that Vande Mataram be sung afterward.
How the dispute should end
BJP’s Position
Jai Ram Thakur said the BJP would withdraw its privilege motion if Sukhu apologized and said it was considering a criminal defamation case.
Congress Government’s Position
Sukhu demanded that BJP members apologize to the people for insulting the National Anthem and for allegedly creating division over the National Anthem and National Song.
Key facts
- BJP action
- Submitted a breach-of-privilege notice against Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
- BJP demand
- Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur said the notice could be withdrawn if Sukhu apologized.
- Government position
- Sukhu maintained that the Opposition had insulted the National Anthem.
- Original incident
- The controversy concerns events during the National Anthem on August 21, the session’s opening day.
- Video footage
- Thakur said footage released by the Speaker showed BJP MLAs standing and singing the anthem.
- Additional government action
- Sukhu said Congress would bring a privilege motion against Opposition members.
- Speaker’s clarification
- Kuldeep Singh Pathania said remarks made by the chief minister outside the House were not part of the official record.
Quotes
Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu
Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh
“The clip made it clear that all the BJP MLAs stood up and sang the National Anthem. Not a single Opposition member was found disrespecting the National Anthem, proving that the Congress’ allegation was false and incorrect. The Chief Minister should tender an apology.”
indianexpress.com
“uncalled”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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