Rajya Sabha Adjourned Amid Protests Over DK Shivakumar’s Remarks

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned amid heated protests following controversial remarks by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar regarding reservations for the Muslim community. The uproar led to the suspension of proceedings as ruling party members demanded an explanation from the Congress.

The controversy erupted after Shivakumar allegedly stated that the Congress would amend the Constitution to provide reservations for Muslims. His remarks triggered strong reactions from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused the Congress of attempting to introduce religion-based reservations in violation of the Constitution. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Leader of the House J.P. Nadda condemned the statement, demanding an apology from the Congress leadership.

As soon as the session commenced, BJP members began protesting, demanding a clarification from Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. They alleged that the Congress was making a mockery of the Constitution and misleading the public. In response, Kharge dismissed the accusations, asserting that the BJP was distorting Shivakumar’s words for political gain. He reiterated that the Congress was committed to upholding the Constitution and ensuring social justice. However, his response was met with continuous sloganeering from BJP members, forcing the Chair to adjourn the House until 2 PM.

Shivakumar later clarified his remarks, stating that his words were taken out of context. He explained that he was referring to existing judicial interpretations of reservation policies and had not suggested altering the Constitution. He accused the BJP of deliberately misrepresenting his statement to fuel controversy ahead of upcoming elections.

The incident highlights the political sensitivity surrounding the issue of reservations in India. While the Congress has historically supported affirmative action for marginalized communities, the BJP has consistently opposed religion-based quotas, arguing that reservations should be based solely on social and economic criteria.

This latest controversy has reignited debates over reservation policies and their implementation. With elections approaching, both parties are using the issue to strengthen their narratives, further polarizing political discourse. The adjournment of the Rajya Sabha reflects the intensity of the debate, with both sides unwilling to back down.

As the issue continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Congress and BJP will navigate the controversy. The demand for an apology from Shivakumar and the Congress leadership is likely to persist, keeping the issue at the forefront of national politics in the coming days.