Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar walks out, says don’t ‘politicise’ Phogat issue

New Delhi: The Opposition’s attempts to raise the issue of disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat at the Olympics in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday was turned down by Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, leading to vociferous protests and a walkout. The manner of protests irked Dhankhar, who announced after the developments that he cannot chair the proceedings and left the House. He later called a meeting of the floor leaders of all parties to discuss the issue.

At the start of Zero Hour in the Upper House, some members from the Opposition benches tried to speak on the Phogat controversy but the Chairman stated emphatically that the unfortunate turn of events has pained everybody.

Opposition members shouted slogans and tried to speak on the issue. TMC floor leader Derek O’Brien raised his voice at the Chairman when members were not permitted to speak, leading Dhankhar to reprimand him. “You cannot shout at the Chair,” he said. Several Opposition leaders had given notice under Rule 267 to discuss the Phogat issue.

The Opposition staged a walkout even as Dhankhar expressed his unhappiness over their conduct.

“Emergency started like this in June 1975…. They think only their heart is bleeding (over Phogat being disqualified),” Dhankhar said, adding that he will not permit the Opposition to “monetise and politicise” the issue.

He mentioned Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini’s announcement on Phogat. “Not just the state but the whole country is proud of Vinesh Phogat. She will get all the privileges and facilities of a silver medal winner (at the Olympics). The Opposition does politics on every issue. They should not do politics in the area of sports,” Saini said on X.