Assam Assembly: Ruckus in House on use of the word 'ugrapanthi'

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The word 'ugrapanthi' (extremists) uttered by the State Assembly Speaker created an unruly situation in the House on Thursday, leading to its adjournment twice. At last, the Speaker had to expunge the word 'ugrapanthi' from the proceedings of the House.

During the Question Hour, a few Congress legislators created noisy scenes in the House time and again on the question of 'provincialization' of venture schools. While calming the MLAs, the Speaker said, "Sometimes, I feel that the behaviour of the legislators is worse than that of 'ugrapanthi'."

That stirred up the hornet's nest in the Opposition Bench. They strongly demanded the Speaker to expunge the word 'ugrapanthi' from the proceedings of the House.

The Speaker made repeated attempts to justify his use of the word 'ugrapanthi' vis-à-vis the situation created in the House by some of the legislators. The Opposition MLAs, however, were not ready to listen to the Speaker and created a noisy situation. And that led the Speaker to adjourn the House for 30 minutes.

When the House resumed, Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia said, "'Ugrapanthis' do not have faith in democracy. The people of Assam know who they mean by the term 'ugrapanthi'. The MLAs are the ones who take oath in the name of the Constitution of India to protect the integrity of the country. Comparing the legislators with 'ugrapanthi' is not just. The Chair needs to expunge the word 'ugrapanthi' from the proceedings of the House."

The Speaker then said, "'Ugrapanthi' is not a bad word. I, however, don't know if the word is an unparliamentary expression. In my opinion, when something crosses the limit we call it 'ugra' or 'extreme'. Those who support this are 'ugrapanthi' or 'extremists'. My intension in the use of this word is not bad."

The Opposition MLAs were not ready to accept what the Speaker wanted to get across. Congress MLAs – Jakir Hussain and Kamalakshya Dey Purkayastha – sat on the floor in front of the Speaker's well, in protest. The Speaker then ordered marshalling of the two MLAs, besides their expulsion from the House for the day.

The ruckus then reached its crescendo, leading the Speaker to adjourn the House for 15 minutes for the second time.

When the House resumed, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pijush Hazarika said, "There is a misunderstanding on the word 'ugrapanthi'. We need to sort it out for the smooth functioning of the House. However, the issue of expunging the word is up to the Speaker."

Debabrata said then said, "We as legislators cannot utter words like 'thief', 'dacoit' etc., in the august House. We cannot even tell something 'false'. Instead of using the word 'false', we use 'osatya' (not true). In Assam, the word 'ugrapanthi' means those who indulge in antisocial activities."

The AIUDF and CPI (M) legislators also said that they got hurt with the use of the word 'ugrapanthi' by the Speaker.

The Speaker then said, "I may be at fault. But I have no ego. I can expunge the word 'ugrapanthi' from the proceedings of the House. It is the situation that compels the use of words. Had not the MLAs created noisy scenes time and again on the issue, I would not have uttered this word. I'm a tribal. And my command over the Assamese language is not that strong. I have no intention to hurt any MLA. I haven't compared the MLAs with extremists.

"I appeal to the MLAs not to come to the House with preplans to create a noisy situation. Some MLAs come to the House with placards. Doesn't it mean that they have some preplans to create ruckus in the House? Such attempts make it difficult for the Chair to ensure the smooth running of the House."

At last, the Speaker expunged the word 'ugrapanthi' from the proceedings of the House, besides withdrawing the expulsion order of the two MLAs.

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