New Delhi, Dec 5: The proceedings of the Lok Sabha were adjourned twice on Thursday after BJP member Nishikant Dubey made remarks linking Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi to a US-based billionaire George Soros, sparking protests from Congress members.
During Zero Hour, Dubey raised the issue, claiming that the Congress-led opposition had attempted to derail Parliament proceedings based on a report by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), which allegedly suggested links between Rahul Gandhi and the billionaire investor. Congress members immediately objected to the remarks, leading to an uproar in the House.
As protests continued, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla adjourned the session until 2 pm. However, when the House reconvened at 3 pm, similar disruptions occurred. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju condemned the opposition’s behavior, accusing them of lowering the dignity of Parliament. He criticized the opposition for wearing colorful clothes as part of their protests, likening it to a “fashion show.”
The issue stemmed from Dubey’s comments about the OCCRP reports, which had raised allegations on various issues such as the Pegasus spying scandal, the efficacy of Indian-made COVID-19 vaccines, and the Hindenburg reports. Dubey claimed that these reports, many of which were published just before key parliamentary sessions, were aimed at derailing India’s progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. In the midst of the chaos, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi attempted to counter Dubey’s allegations, asserting that Rahul Gandhi stood for peace and accusing the BJP of spreading falsehoods. However, the protests continued, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the proceedings again until 3 pm. This marks another day of tense exchanges in Parliament, where the opposition has strongly protested various reports and allegations targeting their leaders.
