Anti-national forces cannot be allowed to ‘affect our integrity and sovereignty’: Dhankhar
Amid the uproar in the Upper House over Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) allegations of ‘collusion’ of Congress leaders with billionaire investor George Soros to destabilize the country, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday said that any political party inside or outside India The forces cannot be allowed to ‘affect our unity, integrity and sovereignty’.
Calling for a united fight against all such forces, he said that the country is committed to fighting these nefarious forces. Amidst the uproar in the House, the Chairman also said that he is sure that the members of both the parties will introspect and set an example before the country.
He said, “I am confident that members from both sides will introspect… and set an example before the country that we are Indians first, for us the country comes first.” Our commitment towards nationalism should be 100 percent. We will not let our nationalism diminish. We will not tolerate any challenge to our unity, integrity and sovereignty.
Both sides created ruckus in the house
Both sides created ruckus in the House on Monday. Members of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) accused the Congress and its leaders of trying to destabilize the country’s government and economy through foreign organizations and individuals and demanded a discussion on the issue. At the same time, the opposition led by Congress tried to raise the issue related to Adani Group and raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government.
The Chairman said, “I had a meeting with the Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition in my chamber. The purpose of the meeting was to ensure the smooth functioning of the House. Leaders from both the parties and some other leaders were also present in the meeting.
The integrity and sovereignty of the country is sacred for us – Chairman
“Both sides had a frank discussion and they said two things,” he said. First, the integrity and sovereignty of the country is sacred for us. We cannot allow any force inside or outside the country to affect our unity, our integrity and our sovereignty. The leaders discussed openly. They have agreed to meet in my chamber tomorrow at 10.30 am. I would appeal to all the members of the House to carefully consider the oath to the Constitution.
The Chairman said that his oath is very specific and he has to ensure the integrity of the country on priority basis. He said, “Any challenge to the unity and integrity of the country… we all need to stand united and face it.” This is not a challenge to one class or the other.
Dhankhar said, “This is a challenge to our very existence. We as a nation are committed to fighting these nefarious forces, forces that are hostile towards India.”
‘If dialogue in Parliament does not share the sentiments of the common people, Parliament will become irrelevant’
He said that at this critical moment when the country is facing serious challenges, this House should raise a united voice to inspire the people at large so that such forces can be defeated. Dhankhar said that the conduct of the members should be such that people get more interested in the Parliament because if the dialogue in the Parliament does not share the sentiments of the common people then the Parliament will become irrelevant.