PDP members physically evicted from RS after they tear copy of

Two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Members were physically removed from the Rajya Sabha on Monday after they tore a copy of the Constitution, in an apparent display of anger against the government deciding to scrap Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir.

PDP members Mir Fayaz and Nazir Ahmed Laway first trooped into the Well along with Congress and other opposition members shouting slogans against the Modi government move to abrogate Article 370 and bring a bill to bifurcate the state into two union territories.

The two carried posters against the Centre, which they tore as the Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu allowed Home Minister Amit Shah to first move a resolution for abrogation of Article 370 and then introduce the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019.

 

As they shouted slogans at the top of their voice against the move, Fayaz tore his 'kurta', which Naidu strongly disapproved of.

Opposition Congress, TMC and DMK members squatted in the well of the House in opposition to government bringing the resolution and bill, saying it was brought without giving them any notice.

Naidu said he had used his discretionary powers to allow the government to do so as the matter was of urgent importance.

But the opposition was not impressed and continued to protest in the well. During the protest, the PDP members took a copy of the Constitution from the table officers and started to tear its pages.

This was vehemently objected by members of treasury benches.

Naidu said he was naming the two members - a kind of a reprimand which when resorted by the chair results in the members having to withdraw from the proceedings of the House for the entire day.

"Indian Constitution is supreme. Nobody can do it," he said. "No member has the right to tear the Constitution."

As the two PDP members continued to shout slogans and tear copies, he ordered the marshals to physically remove them from the House.

But before marshals could reach them, BJP leader Vijay Goel tried to physically tackle one of them but was pushed back.

Naidu told members that they are not supposed to touch or argue with the two members. "That is not your duty," he said.

Marshals rushed and physically removed the two members.

Naidu said he can understand the "anxiety, anger, protest and anguish" of members but "anybody tearing the Constitution in House, shouting slogans against India, will not be allowed."

Such members will not just be named but also action taken against them, he said.

Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad strongly condemned the incident saying none of his party colleagues were involved.

The two members could neither participate in the debate on the resolution and the Jammu and Kashmir reorganisation bill, nor could they vote on them.