Hamid Ansari under fire for 'anarchist' remark in Rajya Sabha

Agitated by repeated disruptions, Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari on Tuesday wondered whether members wish the House to become a 'federation of anarchists', a remark which drew sharp reaction with the Bharatiya Janata Party demanding its withdrawal and the government asking for expunging it.

Ansari made the remark soon after the House met for the day when he took up the first listed question.

BJP members started shouting slogans on the land issue related to Robert Vadra, son-in-law of Congress President Sonia Gandhi. They were seeking a probe and reply from the government on the allegation of irregularities in some land deals in Haryana.

Congress members were also on their feet, countering the BJP attack. Telugu Desam Party members displayed shirts with slogan 'Save Andhra Pradesh, Save Democracy' in protest against decision to carve out a separate Telangana state.

Ansari pleaded with the members to allow Question Hour while asking them to resume their seats. As the din continued, Ansari said, "Every single rule in the rule book, every single etiquette is being violated...If the honourable members wish the House to become a federation of anarchists, then it is a different matter." Amid uproar, he adjourned the House till noon.

When the House resumed, Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley expressed displeasure over Ansari's remark and demanded that the chair should withdraw it. Ansari was not present at that time and Deputy Chairman P J Kurien was in the Chair.

"Please reconsider it," he said, objecting to the use of the word 'anarchist' to describe the entire House and demanding its withdrawal.

The BJP leader said it is unparliamentary to call even one member an 'anarchist' and the Chair has described the entire House as 'anarchist'. Kurien, however, reasoned that Ansari has only raised a question, as no member would wish the House to become a 'federation of anarchists'.

At this, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Shukla, intervened asking the Chair to "expunge" the remarks if the leader of opposition wanted so.

Deputy Leader of BJP in Rajya Sabha Ravi Shankar Prasad said while members have the highest respect for the Chair, it will be better if the exalted office of the chairman withdraws the remarks unconditionally instead of expunging them. Kurien, however, remained non-committal saying he will come back to the House on it.