Jagdeep Dhankhar walks out as Opposition demands to discuss Vinesh Phogat's disqualification
PTC News Desk: Rajya Sabha Chair Jagdeep Dhankhar walked out of the House on Thursday afternoon after the Opposition demanded discussion on wrestler Vinesh Phogat's disqualification from a gold medal match at the Paris Olympics.
He claimed that he had no support from the opposition and that they believed he was undeserving of the role before announcing he was leaving the House with sadness.
An angry Dhankhar also accused Congress MP Jairam Ramesh of "laughing"; "I know your habit..." the Rajya Sabha leader remarked, lamenting the House Chair's disrespect.
"It is not me... but the post of the Chairperson that is being challenged... it is being challenged because people think the person sitting in the chair is not worthy..." Dhankhar said.
At this time, there were comments from the Chair's left, and Dhankhar pointed to Jairam Ramesh. "Now I have just one option... after what I have seen today, I cannot continue sitting in this chair," he remarked, before standing up, folding his hands together, and walking out of the house.
Hours earlier, the Congress-led INDIA bloc staged a raucous walkout when Dhankhar refused to set aside time to discuss Phogat's disqualification. When Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Trinamool Congress Leader Derek O'Brien stood to speak, the Chairperson stopped them.
Kharge wanted to know "who is behind" Phogat's heartbreak, as she aimed to become the first Indian woman wrestler to win an Olympic gold medal. He, however, was instructed to sit down.
O'Brien was similarly stopped. "You're shouting at the chair. Your behaviour is the most offensive in the House. I condemn your actions. Next time, I'll show you the door..." Dhankhar stated. As the outrage grew in the House, opposition MPs staged a walkout.
- With inputs from agencies
