Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Dec 14: Up to 17 opposition parties left the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, protesting what they claimed was a lack of government discussion on the battles between Indian and Chinese soldiers on December 9 in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh along the Line of Actual Control.
Among the 17 parties that left the House during ‘Zero Hour’ were the Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Aam Aadmi Party, MDMK, Communist Party of India (Marxist), CPI, Janata Dal-United, DMK, Trinamool Congress, and Telugu Desam Party.
When the House convened for the day, the leader of the opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge, and other opposition leaders raised the demand for a thorough debate of the altercation. Deputy chairman Harivansh granted a ‘Zero Hour’ during which lawmakers could voice their concerns.
The 17 parties staged a walkout after the Chair denied the opposition’s request to discuss the India-China border incident. Congressman Pramod Tiwari blasted the administration for not hosting a discussion on the matter while speaking to the reporters outside the House.
He said, “All the 17 parties are standing behind the soldiers but we are all concerned about the issue which cannot be compromised in terms of the border issue. National security is a major concern.”
CPI (M) MP John Brittas said, “we don’t know why the government is not ready to hold a debate on the clash between Indian and Chinese troops on the LAC.”
