Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhales address in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday led to a significant uproar as he questioned the affairs of the Union Home Ministry. His remarks, particularly those directed at Home Minister Amit Shah, drew sharp responses from the ruling party, resulting in a tumultuous session in the House.

During his speech, Gokhale alleged that Shah was “afraid” of being questioned, a claim that immediately provoked a reaction. In response, Amit Shah strongly defended himself, countering the accusations with a pointed retort: “I have not come here at anyones mercy. I have come here by winning seven elections. I havent entered here just by opposing an ideology. Theres no question of being afraid.”

TMC MP Challenges Home Minister with CBI Data

The situation escalated further when Gokhale attempted to present data on the number of pending corruption cases with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). His assertion that these figures needed to be addressed sparked immediate protests from the treasury benches.

As BJP members tried to intervene, Gokhale firmly stood his ground and declared, “I will not yield!” This statement added fuel to the ongoing clash, prompting Amit Shah to intervene once again, stating that Gokhale was “providing incorrect information” to the House. Shah emphasized his obligation to clarify the facts, asserting that misinformation should not be allowed to spread.

Demand for Apology and Subsequent Chaos

As the confrontation intensified, BJP national president JP Nadda demanded an apology from Gokhale for allegedly presenting inaccurate data. However, the TMC MP refused outright, reiterating that he would not apologize to Shah or anyone else. His fellow party members echoed his stance, insisting that they had the right to discuss matters of national importance, and that the government should not suppress debates.

The refusal to apologize led to further disorder in the Rajya Sabha, with members from both sides engaging in verbal confrontations. Amid the commotion, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar stepped in, urging Gokhale to withdraw his remarks against Shah. He stated that such statements discouraged healthy debate and were not in line with parliamentary decorum. However, Gokhale remained defiant, leading Dhankhar to declare his remarks “unparliamentary and not well-motivated,” subsequently ordering them to be expunged from the records.

Controversial Tanashahi Reference Sparks More Protests

Despite the House already being in turmoil, Gokhale further stoked tensions by referring to the word “tanashahi” (dictatorship) while making a point about Amit Shahs surname. This remark incited strong objections from the ruling party, with members demanding an immediate retraction. Both the Chair and ruling party MPs called the statement unacceptable and insisted that Gokhale withdraw his words.

Amidst the escalating tensions, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju criticized Gokhales approach, stating, “The way Saket Gokhale started the discussion is very negative. During his 10-minute address, he has not given a single suggestion. What do you want to achieve by speaking such language?” He further added that he had “never seen a member initiating a discussion like this” and urged Gokhale to maintain higher standards of discourse in the Rajya Sabha. Rijiju went on to assert that the TMC MP had “lowered the dignity of the House” with his statements.

A Session Marked by Controversy

The session ultimately concluded with unresolved tensions and a charged political atmosphere. The clash between Saket Gokhale and Amit Shah underscored the deep divisions between the opposition and the ruling party, reflecting the highly polarized nature of parliamentary debates. With Gokhales remarks expunged and his refusal to apologize standing firm, the incident is likely to remain a point of contention in the coming days.

The episode highlights the challenges of maintaining decorum in legislative discussions while ensuring that crucial issues are debated freely. Whether this confrontation leads to further parliamentary disruptions remains to be seen, but it has certainly set the stage for more intense political exchanges in the future.