By Vishwapati
Patna: On Friday, as soon as the Question Hour commenced in the Bihar Assembly, a huge uproar erupted. MLAs from the CPI(ML) began chanting slogans against the government in response to the Biharsharif incident. The protest grew so intense that the MLAs moved to the well of the House, accusing the government of failing to address the issue. Witnessing the unexpected chaos, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar stood up and appealed to the protesting MLAs to maintain peace. With folded hands, he said, “I fold my hands before you; please take your seats. Creating a disturbance is not appropriate. If there is an issue, inform us, and the government will take immediate action.”
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar further said that the government takes prompt notice of any incident and issues necessary instructions to the relevant District Magistrate. He added, “If anyone has committed wrongdoing, immediate action will be taken against them. You are causing a disturbance without reason, which is not right.” However, the Chief Minister’s plea fell on deaf ears as the MLAs continued their sloganeering.
Subsequently, Speaker Nandkishore Yadav attempted to proceed with the House’s business, but the CPI(ML) MLAs remained steadfast in their protest. The Speaker advised them to remain calm and raise their concerns at the appropriate time. When the MLAs refused to comply and continued their sloganeering from the well, the Speaker took a firm stance. He made it clear that speaking without permission would not be tolerated and that the proceedings must continue smoothly. As the uproar intensified, the Speaker instructed the marshals to confiscate the posters held by the protesting MLAs. Despite this, the opposition MLAs persisted in their protest, further escalating the tension in the House.
The root of the protest was the brutal murder of a woman in Bihar Sharif, where the victim was not only killed but also subjected to horrific mistreatment, including nails being hammered into her body. The discovery of the body sparked widespread outrage. The opposition sought to hold the government accountable, alleging a complete breakdown of law and order in the state and accusing the government of failing to curb crime.
In response, the Chief Minister reiterated that the government takes immediate notice of such incidents and ensures strict action against the perpetrators. He urged the opposition MLAs to present their views peacefully and in an orderly manner, allowing for proper discussion and resolution of issues.
This tumultuous session of the Bihar Assembly highlighted the heightened political tensions in the state. While the opposition attempted to corner the government over its handling of law and order, the government assured that it was fulfilling its responsibilities and taking swift action. However, such disruptions during House proceedings pose a significant challenge to democratic processes and the smooth functioning of legislative business.
(The author, Vishwapati, is a senior journalist based in Patna. He may be contacted at vishwapati25@gmail.com)
