National anthem row escalates, opposition moves privilege motion against Himachal CM

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Politics Intensifies Over National Anthem Row, Opposition Moves Privilege Motion Against Himachal CM

Shimla , August 26

The political controversy over the national anthem and national song in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly has escalated, with the Opposition submitting a privilege breach notice against Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu  on Wednesday.

Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur said the notice was submitted to the Assembly Speaker, alleging that the Chief Minister made false statements against the representatives of the state’s 75 lakh people in the House.

Thakur said the Chief Minister had indicated before the Assembly session that Vande Mataram would not be sung in the House. However, when the session began, all members stood respectfully for the national anthem. He said Vande Mataram was also sung from the Speaker’s chair, followed by the national anthem.

The BJP leader said the Opposition received the video footage related to the national anthem only after repeatedly seeking it. He added that if any Opposition member was found to have disrespected the national anthem, he would himself seek action against them.

Thakur said the matter would be dropped if the Chief Minister apologized, but warned that the Chief Minister was not above the law. He also said the Opposition could consider criminal defamation proceedings if no apology was offered.

Thakur said the Assembly Speaker would act on the privilege notice in accordance with the rules.

Without naming Minister Jagdhat Singh Negi, Thakur accused him of presenting “fallacious arguments” instead of facts. He leveled a similar charge against the Chief Minister and questioned why Congress-ruled states allegedly avoided singing the national song.

On outsourced recruitment, Thakur alleged that the state government was using outsourcing agencies to provide jobs to its office-bearers and MLAs instead of addressing unemployment among the state’s youth. He also claimed that the High Court had raised concerns over outsourcing agencies.