Rajya Sabha clears general insurance bill amid shocking scenes

Entire Opposition was united in their call to send the Bill to a select committee

August 11, 2021 10:33 pm | Updated August 12, 2021 11:52 am IST - NEW DELHI

**EDS: VIDEO GRAB** New Delhi: Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge speaks in the Rajya Sabha during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Wednesday, Aug 11, 2021. (RSTV/PTI Photo)(PTI08_11_2021_000242A)

**EDS: VIDEO GRAB** New Delhi: Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge speaks in the Rajya Sabha during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Wednesday, Aug 11, 2021. (RSTV/PTI Photo)(PTI08_11_2021_000242A)

The contentious General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Amendment Bill, 2021 was passed amidst shocking scenes in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday despite the Opposition’s demand to send the legislation to a select committee.

Parliament proceedings updates | August 11, 2021

The Rajya Sabha passed the Bill that would allow the government to cut its share in public sector insurance companies, paving the way for more private sector participation, amid protests by the Opposition. The Bill had been passed by the Lok Sabha on August 2 .

The entire Opposition was united in their call to send the Bill to a select committee. YSR Congress MP Vijaysai Reddy said it must go to a select committee to understand the greater ramifications of this law. TDP MP K. Ravindra Kumar also urged the government to send the Bill to a select committee. RJD MP Manoj K Jha said the entire nation is watching the murder of democracy here. “I ask the Chair too how can you sit and let this happen,” Mr. Jha said.

When the government forced through a discussion amid the din, CPI MP Binoy Viswam tried to climb on to the reporter’s table. BJD MP Sasmit Patra, who was in the Chair, immediately adjourned the House. Within minutes, more than 10 women marshals and nearly 50 men formed a human chain around the reporter’s table. They also blocked the way for the Opposition members to get into the well.

Also read | Govt. introduces Bill on insurance firms as Oppn. protests stall LS again

When the House reconvened, Ripun Bora and Syed Naseer Hussain (Congress), Binoy Viswam (CPI) and CPI(M)’s Elamaram Kareem had a tussle with the marshals as they tried to push their way to the reporter’s table. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut ,who was in the second row, clambered on to the seats and lept at the marshals. Even as the speeches were going on, the parliamentarians had an intense tussle with the marshals. Mr. Bora at one point stood up on a platform where the TV screen is kept. TMC MP Mausum Noor stood with a noose in her neck.

The Congress MPs walked out in protest against what Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge called an “insult to democracy”. “We are all peace-loving people. So many male and female marshals created a shield… Lady members are insulted here. Marshals are pushing. We are not safe and our lady members are not safe. So we protest.”

TMC MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray said he opposed the Bill as it was brought with the intention of benefiting “crony capitalists”.

Outside the House, AAP MP Sanjay Singh said: “Whatever happened in Parliament today is an indication of what the future holds. It is possible that armed policemen would soon be entering Parliament.” Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said male marshals had manhandled women MPs. Mr. Kareem said: “There was a war like situation inside the House today.”

Derek O’Brien (TMC) said the government was now using “gender shields” to foil protests inside the Rajya Sabha, with male and female marshals being posted in front of members of the opposite sex. NCP MP Sharad Pawar said he had not witnessed such scenes in his 55-year career as a parliamentarian. Mr. Viswam said it was a black day when Parliament was converted into a military barrack.

Inside the House, the government introduced the National Commission for Homoeopathy (Amendment) Bill, 2021 and the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (Amendment) Bill, 2021. Both Bills were passed after brief discussions, before the Rajya Sabha was adjourned sine die.

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