Mary Kom, Swamy take oath in Rajya Sabha

The opposition condemned the rustication of three students from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) the action. Raising the issue, CPI-M member Tapan Kumar Sen described the punitive action of the JNU the “most arrogant, anti-democratic act being patronised by the government”.

“Rusticating them, debarring them for five years and thereby taking vengeance against their educational career in a very unjust manner - this is a part of this government’s project,” Sen said.

CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury sought a proper debate on the issue. CPI leader D. Raja also raised the issue. “This house cannot be a mute spectator when such things are happening in JNU. This is very vindictive, revengeful action,” Raja said.

Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien said that the universities are autonomous. Yechury countered that statement, saying the university has been established by an act of parliament.

Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad supported the Left leaders in decrying the punitive action taken by the university. “Universities’ atmosphere is being vitiated. It is the HRD ministry which is responsible,” Congress leader Anand Sharma said.

Nominated members including Subramanian Swamy and Mary Kom, took their oath to



Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

Kom, Swamy, journalist Swapan Dasgupta and former planning commission member Narendra Jadhav were among the nominated members who took oath.

Shiromani Akali Dal member Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa also took oath.

Slogan-shouting Congress members on Tuesday forced the adjournment of Rajya Sabha till noon after the government rejected their demand for a discussion on a motion on dismissal of the party’s government there.

Congress members trooped into the Well of the House shouting slogans against the Government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi after Leader of the House and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said no discussion other than on proclamation of President Rule in Uttarakhand can take place.

Justifying imposition of central rule in the state, Jaitley said the “real breakdown of constitutional machinery” happened in Uttarakhand when the presiding officer (Speaker) “ignored” the vote of 35 out of 67 members against the appropriation bill to declare it passed.

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien’s pleading that the Chair was in favour of a discussion and the protestors should allow the House to function went unheeded, forcing him to adjourn the proceedings till 12:35 hours.