New Delhi, July 15 (UNI) As an advisory issued to MPs against staging dharnas in the Parliament House precinct stirred a controversy, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday said the circular is a routine matter.
Speaking on the issue of circular requesting Members not to use the precincts of Parliament for any demonstration, dharna, strike or fast etc, Birla said that this is a routine matter and such Circulars are issued before every Session.
He requested Members of Parliament and political parties not use routine parliamentary information for creating news. The Speaker further requested that the dignity of Parliament as an institution may be maintained.
Lok Sabha Secretariat sources said similar notices are shared before every session, and also referred to copies of similar circulars issued earlier.
An advisory to MPs not to stage protests or hold religious ceremonies in the the Parliament House precincts, drawing Opposition's criticism.
A Bulletin issued by Rajya Sabha secretariat said "Members cannot use the precincts of the Parliament House for any Demonstration, Dharna, Strike, Fast, or for the purpose of performing any religious ceremony."
Reacting to it, Congress' media department head Jairam Ramesh said, "Vishguru's latest salvo — D(h)arna Mana Hai!"
Replying to him, Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien said Opposition will continue to protest through democratic means. He also said a religious ceremony was held in the Parliament precinct recently, indicating towards the ceremony where Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday unveiled the national emblem cast on the roof of the new Parliament building in national capital
"Every year they issue these notices in Parliament bulletins. Demonstrations, dharnas, strikes, fast are part of legitimate Parliamentary tactics to register protest. No stopping us," said O'Brien.
" However, can you please update me. Didn’t someone conduct a religious ceremony recently?" he said.
The bulletin is among over a dozen advisories issued by the Rajya Sabha secretariat ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. An official said the advisories are customary and issued ahead of every session to facilitate Members.
UNI AO SHK1918