Outrage in Meghalaya: VPP Walks Out of Assembly Over Shocking Alleged Communal Remarks by Education Minister
VPP Stages Walkout Over Education Minister’s Alleged Hate Speech
On Thursday, the VPP legislators exited the Assembly in protest after Education Minister Rakkam Sangma was allowed to respond to a half-hour discussion initiated by MLA Ardent Basaiawmoit. The discussion centered on the problematic teacher appointments in Dadenggre Sub Division. Basaiawmoit sought action against Sangma, accusing him of making hate speech and stoking communal tensions during an election campaign for the Tura Lok Sabha seat.
The controversy erupted when Deputy Speaker Timothy D. Shira gave Sangma the floor to address the issue. In response, Basaiawmoit, along with three other VPP lawmakers, rose and walked out, chanting "shame, shame." Basaiawmoit had earlier stated his refusal to listen to Sangma, citing the latter’s alleged hate speech as a violation of rule 196 of the BNSS. "If the CM or one of the deputy CMs is not addressing the issue, I will not listen," Basaiawmoit declared, threatening a walkout if Sangma were allowed to speak. He stressed that Sangma’s speech was fostering discord between the Khasi and Garo communities.
Reacting to the situation, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong noted that parliamentary rules prohibit personal charges against any member during discussions. He clarified that allowing Sangma to reply was within procedural norms and pointed out that the personal nature of the accusations against Sangma warranted expunging certain remarks from the record. Tynsong urged the VPP to adhere to legal processes as they had already filed an FIR against the minister, questioning the appropriateness of raising the issue in the House.
Following this, the Speaker formally expunged Basaiawmoit’s critical remarks about Sangma, maintaining parliamentary decorum.
Original Story https://www.indiatodayne.in/meghalaya/story/meghalaya-vpp-walks-out-of-assembly-over-education-ministers-alleged-communal-remarks-1081760-2024-08-29?utm_source=rssfeed
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