A ruckus erupted in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly when the Opposition Congress vehemently objected to Madhya Pradesh Minister Vijay Shah’s replying to a question on Friday. After several adjournments, the House was adjourned for the day.
Congress MLA from Bhopal, Arif Masood, raised a question regarding the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy during question hour. Vijay Shah, the Gas Relief Minister, rose to reply to the question.
However, Congress MLA Phool Singh Barraiya objected and stated that a person who disrespected a woman officer of the Indian Army should resign. Leader of the Opposition Umang Singhar and other opposition MLAs also supported the demand.
Several opposition MLAs trooped to the well of the house and began raising slogans like, ‘Vijay Shah istifa do (resign)’, and ‘Vijay Shah ko barkhaast karo (sack him)’.
In retaliation, the ruling BJP MLAs accused the Congress of disrespecting the Armed Forces. Legislative Affairs Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya alleged that the Congress always speaks in favour of Pakistan and China.
Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar tried to pacify the MLAs of both sides, but the din continued. Consequently, the Speaker adjourned the proceedings of the House midway during question hour till 1 pm.
After sitting in the well for a while, the Congress members shouted slogans outside the House.
When the House reassembled, the opposition again created pandemonium. While the second calling attention motion was being discussed amid noisy scenes, the opposition trooped into the well. The Speaker adjourned the House till 4 August.
Vijay Shah is facing an FIR, and has been severely reprimanded by the Supreme Court too, over his speech at Mhow on 12 May when he made derogatory comments in connection with ‘Operation Sindoor’, hinting at Indian Army Colonel Sofiya Quereshi, and termed her ‘a sister of terrorists’.