New Delhi [India], July 21 : Amid ruckus in the Upper House by the Opposition, Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday said that dialogue and discussion, not conflict, are the way forward, emphasising that India's historical strength lies in discourse, dialogue, and deliberation, which should guide our Parliament.
Addressing the members of the House, VP Dhankhar said, "A thriving democracy cannot sustain constant acrimony. Political tension must be reduced, as confrontation is not the essence of politics. While political parties may pursue the same goals through different approaches, no one in India opposes the nation's interests."
Stressing that such behavior "contradicts our civilizational essence", the Rajya Sabha Chairman said, "I urge all political parties to foster bonhomie and mutual respect, avoiding unbecoming language or personal attacks against leaders on television or elsewhere."
He asserted that with the contributions of both ruling and opposition parties, the Monsoon Session will be productive and meaningful.
"Dialogue and discussion, not conflict, are the way forward. Internal fighting strengthens our enemies and provides material to divide us. India's historical strength lies in discourse, dialogue, and deliberation, which should guide our Parliament. I urge all political parties, ruling and opposition, to engage in constructive politics for Bharat's greater progress. With your cooperation and active participation, I am confident that this Monsoon Session will be productive and meaningful," the Rajya Sabha Chairman said.
The Upper House of the Parliament faced a major disruption on the first day of the Monsoon Session over Opposition's demand to have a discussion on Operation Sindoor and Pahalgam attack.
Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha and Union Minister JP Nadda on Monday said that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was ready for discussion on Op Sindoor and assured that it would allow a full debate on Operation Sindoor.
Such an operation has never happened since the country got its independence, Nadda said.
Nadda said that Mallikarjun Kharge began to discuss minute details of Operation Sindoor and Pahalgam terror attack, which he says was against Kharge's notice mentioned under Rule 267.
Nadda also said that the government is ready to discuss both the issues. He said that the government has agreed to discuss the matters during the Business Advisory Council meeting and is always ready to discuss any issue.
"Am not going into the details of it but I will like to tell you Samik Bhattaracharya under Rule 167 on his own has put in the Business Advisory Commitee and that Bharat Sarkar under PM Modi is willing to discuss on every issue and everything will be discussed," Nadda said.
Leader of Opposition in the Upper House and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said that he has given notice under Rule 267 on Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.
He said the perpetrators of the attack are yet to be caught and that the Opposition supported the government unconditionally during Operation Sindoor but the government has not kept them on loop.
"I have given notice under Rule 267 on Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. Till today, the terrorists have not been caught or neutralised. All parties extended unconditional support to the government. The government should inform us about what has happened. The LG of J-K had made a statement that there was an intelligence failure...US President Trump has claimed 24 times that the ceasefire happened only due to his intervention."
Earlier, the Lok Sabha was adjourned till noon, amid sloganeering by the Opposition, shortly after the Lower House of Parliament commenced.