In a bold defense of parliamentary privileges, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Thursday insisted that Rahul Gandhi, as Leader of Opposition, must be granted uninterrupted speaking time in the Lok Sabha. Objections to Gandhi’s comments during the President’s address have snowballed into a full-blown crisis, disrupting House proceedings and fueling accusations of suppression.
Tharoor dismissed the objections as overblown, noting Gandhi’s remarks drew from already public sources. ‘Allow the Leader of Opposition to speak,’ he urged. ‘This was something published in a magazine earlier. Not secret info. He aimed to address it briefly before discussing other parts of the President’s speech. By objecting so vehemently and stopping him, they’ve manufactured a huge issue.’
This clash reflects broader opposition grievances that the government is systematically throttling their platform in Parliament. Tharoor’s forthright stance amplifies calls for equitable debate opportunities.
On a personal front, Tharoor disclosed a recent mishap: a fall outside Parliament on Wednesday resulted in a hairline fracture. Yet, the MP remains committed. ‘I slipped coming out of Parliament yesterday. Got a hairline fracture, unfortunately,’ he recounted.
Refusing to let the injury sideline him, Tharoor affirmed his attendance at daily sessions and upcoming committee work, wheelchair or not. He had earlier expressed regrets for skipping internal party discussions due to required medical scans and hospital errands.
With the winter session mired in protests over the President’s address, Tharoor’s remarks spotlight the escalating battle for vocal space. As both sides dig in, the impasse threatens to overshadow key legislative business, raising questions about the health of India’s parliamentary democracy.