Chair Objects to Rahul Gandhi Remarks on Memoir Issue in Lok Sabha

New Delhi: A fresh controversy erupted in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday over the use of the term “Yaar” (a casual term for ‘friend’) during a debate related to Opposition Leader (LoP) Rahul Gandhi’s statements on the 2020 Ladakh standoff. The comment was allegedly made from the opposition benches, drawing sharp objection from the chair.

Krishna Prasad Teneti, serving as the acting chairman of the house, strongly criticized the Congress MPs, calling the remark unparliamentary and objectionable. However, some lawmakers took it lightly, saying there was nothing inappropriate in the comment.

The acting chairman sternly told opposition members, “You cannot address the Chair as ‘Yaar.’”

Earlier, following a morning of heated arguments, the Lok Sabha proceedings resumed at 2 PM, only for chaos to erupt again. Congress MPs insisted on recounting incidents from an article based on unpublished writings of former Army Chief Manoj Naravane, which the House Chair refused to allow.

The Congress MP claimed that despite verifying the sources of the information, they were “not being permitted to speak in the House.”

Rejecting the argument, the Chair cited Rule 239, stating that the Speaker has ruled that members cannot refer to or speak about unverified or unclear facts in the House.

LoP Rahul Gandhi maintained that he was only raising issues related to the Ladakh standoff and the Prime Minister’s response.

He said, “The President’s speech outlined the path and direction India should follow. On the global stage, the central issue is the conflict between the United States and China, which is critical for our strategic interests. Why should I be stopped from raising this matter?”

As Rahul Gandhi persisted, repeated objections from the Chair led to uproar and loud disruptions in the House. Opposition members raised slogans, protesting the Chair’s decision to deny the Leader of the Opposition the right to speak on matters of national importance.