Harivansh writes to Prez, Naidu, says will fast for a day in anguish over attack

At the centre of a row involving the conduct of the eight suspended Rajya Sabha MPs, Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh has said he would fast for a day in anguish over opposition attacks in the House during the vote on the farm bills.

In letters to President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Harivansh wrote that he would observe a one-day fast till tomorrow (September 23) to express his anguish.

“After what happened on Sunday, I have been extremely anguished, distressed and in mental agony and have been unable to sleep for the past two days,” Harivansh wrote in his letter.

“In the name of democracy, Opposition members behaved in a violent manner and there were attempts to intimidate the Chair,” said the letter.

Harivansh Narayan Singh was recently appointed the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha for a second time. “Whatever happened in front of me on September 20 has caused unimaginable loss to dignity of House… The rulebook was torn and thrown at me. Some MPs also stood on the table, used unparliamentary language against me. I kept recalling the entire incident and was unable to sleep.”

He referred to iconic Bihar leaders such as Karpuri Thakur, saying he was from Jayaprakash Narayan’s village. “I took part in JP Movement and my political background is from Bihar where the Vaishali Republic is known for democracy,” he said.

Prime Minister Modi came out in support of Harivansh in his tweets, praising the “inspiring and statesmanlike conduct of Harivansh ji”.

He described the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman’s letter to the President as “inspiring and praiseworthy”. The PM tweeted the letter, urging the people to read it.

Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu had on Monday rejected the Opposition’s no-confidence motion against his deputy. Opposition parties accuse Harivansh of ignoring their objections and helping the government push farm bills in the Rajya Sabha despite the lack of numbers.

Harivansh had overruled opposition demands to extend the debate on the farm Bills or even refer them to a select committee of the House.