VPP stages walkout in protest against education minister for hate speech

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 29, 2024

The opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) on Thursday staged a walkout as a mark of protest against the decision to allow the education minister Rakkam A Sangma to reply in the Assembly without taking action against him for allegedly indulging in hate speech. 

Soon after the deputy speaker Timothy D Shira announced his ruling to allow the education minister to reply to a short duration discussion raised by VPP chief and Nongkrem MLA Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit on appointment of teachers in Dadenggre Sub-Division in the Assembly, Basaiawmoit along with the three other VPP legislators immediately stood up from seats and walked out while saying “shame, shame”. 

Before staging the walkout, Basaiawmoit said, “I will not listen to the education minister. (His hate speech) is in violation against 196 of the BNSS. If CM or one of the deputy CMs are not addressing the issue I will not listen.”

He also threatened, “If the government allows him (minister) to reply, we will walkout. We don’t want any clash between the Khasis and Garos. His speech is promoting enmity between the two communities.”

Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Prestone Tynsong said that the rules says a member while speaking shall not make a personal charge against a member.

“So I thought we allow the minister to reply since the Nongkrem MLA Ardent Bassaiawmoit stood up and also reacted to this, I would lke to put things straight that the charges (against the minister) is too personal. Therefore we expunge that line.”

He also suggested to the VPP leader to let the law takes its own course since they have already filed an FIR against the said minister.

According to him, the VPP is bringing the issue in the House without any provision. 

“Why should we bring this issue inside the House. Let us be governed by the rule. This is a personal charge against the member, who also happens to be a minister in the government,” the deputy CM stated.