Politics of Siege in the 18th Lok Sabha
The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha has been marked by a political atmosphere of siege, with symbols such as the Constitution, 50 years of Emergency, and Senegal being used to consolidate the votes of Dalits and backward classes. A controversy arose when some members raised the slogan "Jai Samvidhan" while taking oath in the Parliament, with Congress leader Shashi Tharoor being one of them. When Tharoor said "Jai Samvidhan" after taking oath, the Lok Sabha Speaker objected and clarified that the oath was to the Constitution, leading to an uproar from the opposition.
Controversy Surrounding ‘Jai Samvidhan’ Slogan
The controversy surrounding the slogan "Jai Samvidhan" in the Parliament has sparked debates on whether the Lok Sabha Speaker actually objected to the phrase or if the opposition’s anger was due to the censure motion brought in the Lok Sabha regarding the 50 years of Emergency. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi expressed his disapproval of the Speaker’s stance on the Emergency issue and emphasized the importance of protecting the Constitution. The opposition’s continuous references to the Constitution in response to the Emergency reminders indicate a political narrative aimed at asserting the voice of Dalits and backward classes.
Rahul Gandhi’s Meeting with the Speaker
Amidst the debates and uproar in the Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi met with the Speaker to express his objections to the handling of the Emergency issue. Gandhi accused the Speaker of taking a political stance and suggested that the situation could have been handled differently. The meeting between Gandhi and the Speaker reflects the ongoing tensions and political strategies being employed by both sides. As the politics of siege continues in the 18th Lok Sabha, the use of symbols such as the Constitution and Emergency showcases the underlying power struggles and attempts to sway public opinion.
