Srinagar, Sept 26 (JKNS): BJP J&K spokesman Altaf Thakur on Saturday strongly condemned the marshaling out of opposition members from the Assembly, saying the treatment meted out to elected representatives was “not acceptable”.
“What is the fun of calling MLAs ‘Hon’ble’ when they are dragged out of the Assembly for raising the issues of the people who have elected them? This is not acceptable and the dignity of an elected representative must be respected,” Thakur said in a statement issued here.
He accused Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather of being partial in the conduct of the House and questioned why similar action was not being taken against legislators belonging to the NC and Congress.
“Why are opposition members being singled out and dragged out through marshals? Why are NC and Congress MLAs not being treated in the same manner when they disrupt proceedings or raise strong objections? The Speaker must answer this,” he said.
Thakur said the Speaker was the custodian of the entire House and should ensure that all elected representatives were treated equally, irrespective of their political affiliation.
“The Assembly belongs to every elected representative. The Speaker cannot run the House with a partisan approach. If raising the voice of the people becomes a reason for dragging an MLA out, then the very purpose of democratic representation is undermined,” he said.
He said differences, protests and sharp exchanges were part of parliamentary democracy, but alleged that selectively using marshals against opposition members was unacceptable.
“We strongly condemn the manner in which opposition members were treated. An MLA may disagree, protest or strongly oppose a government decision, but that does not take away his right to speak for his constituents,” Thakur said. (JKNS)
