Parliament Winter session: Opposition walks out of Rajya Sabha flagging BJP MP’s unexplained withdrawal of question

Opposition parties led by the Congress staged a walkout in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday (December 10) after a BJP MP withdrew a question to Home Minister Amit Shah on boosting forensic science capabilities in the country in light of new penal laws, without explanation.

BJP MP Aditya Prasad had asked the Home Minister a question asking “whether the government has expanded the Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs) to collect evidence as mandated under the new criminal laws, and if so, their details”. He also wanted to know “the measures taken to develop forensic capabilities under the Nirbhaya Fund in light of the new criminal laws and the steps taken to systematically electronically store and manage forensic data as required by the new criminal laws.”

It was listed as a Starred Question, which required ministers to answer orally and allowed for follow-up questions. When Chairman CP Radhakrishnan skipped the question and moved on to the next question, Congress’s Chief Whip in the Rajya Sabha Jairam Ramesh and others tried to find out why the question was withdrawn.

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“You know the rules. Rule 253 allows the member to withdraw any question he wishes,” the Chairman said. “You can withdraw if you want. I cannot interfere with the rights of the members.” As opposition MPs pressed, Mr Radhakrishnan told them they “had no right to raise this”.

He continued with the listed questions by asking them not to disturb the Question Hour. Opposition MPs, unhappy with the response, went on strike in Parliament.