Rajya Sabha: Kharge slams security deployment in Upper House, says Oppn will continue "democratic protest"

New Delhi [India], August 5 (ANI): Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, on Tuesday, condemned the use of security personnel inside the House with the Opposition loudly protesting the move they said was "most objectionable and undemocratic"
In a letter addressed to Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, Kharge had expressed shock over the manner in which the CISF personnel entered the Parliament during opposition protests.
"I want to thank you, sir, for the references you gave us, the ones we didn't read, but you told us," Kharge's letter said.
"I'm writing to you on behalf of the opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha. We are astonished and shocked at the manner in which CISF personnel were made to run into the well of the House while members were exercising their democratic right to protest. We saw this yesterday, and we saw it again today. Has our Parliament been reduced to such a level?" the LoP said.
"This is most objectionable, and we strongly condemn it. We expect that in the future, CISF personnel will not come trooping into the well of the House when members are raising important issues of public concern," he added.
Kharge further cited past remarks by late leaders Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj when they served as Leaders of the Opposition, recalling that they had defended disruptions as part of a vibrant "democratic process".
"This is not a huge thing. We are protesting in a democratic way, and we will continue to do so. That is our right," Kharge asserted.
Responding to the allegations, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh refuted Kharge's claims, stating that the personnel deployed were not from the CISF but from the Parliament Security Service (PSS).
"I want to clarify that only the Parliament Security Service can enter the House when needed. No CISF personnel were involved," the Deputy Chairman said in the House.
Undeterred, Kharge stood by his remarks and said, "I condemn this. You can throw us out of the proceedings."
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju accused. Kharge of "misleading" the House and asked for a clarification from the Congress leader regarding his letter to the Deputy Chairman Harivansh that Kharge released to the media.
Following this Kharge asked whether the Chairman or Union Home Minister Amit Shah is running the House.
"Even our previous leaders have maintained that disruptions are also a part of democracy. But I ask you today (Chair), who is running this House? You, or Union Home Minister Amit Shah?" Kharge said.
Harivansh responded to Kharge and stated it is "wrong allegation."
The Deputy Chairman then asked Leader of House JP Nadda to respond.
The standoff comes amid heightened opposition protests over various issues, with the well of the House increasingly becoming a flashpoint for confrontation. (ANI)