Kharge vs Rijiju Row Erupts Over CISF Presence in Rajya Sabha; Sparks Heated Exchange

New Delhi: A major political confrontation unfolded in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday as Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge slammed the alleged deployment of CISF personnel inside the Upper House, calling the move “objectionable” and “undemocratic”. The incident, which occurred during a protest by opposition parties, has triggered strong reactions from both sides of the aisle.

In a strongly worded letter to Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, Kharge wrote, “We are shocked and astonished at the manner in which CISF personnel were made to run into the well of the House while members were exercising their democratic right to protest. Has our Parliament been reduced to such a level?”

Calling the act unprecedented, Kharge further added, “This is most objectionable, and we strongly condemn it. We expect that in the future, CISF personnel will not come trooping into the well of the House when members are raising important issues of public concern.”

However, the government responded with equal intensity. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju categorically denied the allegations and accused Kharge of misleading the House. “It is on record that only Marshals were present in the House that day. No CISF jawans or Delhi Police entered the premises. Kharge’s statements are factually incorrect,” Rijiju said on the floor of the Rajya Sabha.

He further questioned the intent behind Kharge’s letter, saying, “When the Leader of Opposition writes a false letter to the Chair and presents misleading facts, what action should be taken?”

Rijiju also invoked past precedents, citing BJP leaders Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj, who during their tenure as LoPs had termed disruptions in Parliament as part of a “vibrant democratic process.”