Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore   

Speaker persuaded to relax ban

By Our Special Correspondent

Bangalore March 24. The Speaker, M.V. Venkatappa, was on the verge of setting a record of sorts today by asking the press not to report anything that had occurred during Zero Hour and announcing that he would send a note on the proceedings, but for the intervention by the Opposition.

It happened when the Leader of the Opposition, Jagadish Shettar, raised the issue of violence indulged in by a group near the City Market here last Friday while protesting against the U.S. attack on Iraq.

The Speaker's ruling that the press should not publish the proceedings came after the BJP members walked out unhappy with the response of the Government.

The ruling prompted the JD(U) Floor Leader, P.G.R. Sindhia, to request the Speaker to get the records and order removal of unparliamentary expressions instead of ordering a blanket ban on the proceedings. A similar plea was made to the Speaker in his chambers soon thereafter by the BJP.

In his ruling later, the Speaker said he was expunging two expressions which, incidentally, were used by the Home Minister, Mallikarjun Kharge. The Speaker also made it clear that he had no intention of curtailing the right of expression of any member or the freedom of the press.

During his reply to the points raised, Mr. Kharge said the Government would deal firmly with anyone who created law and order problems. He dismissed the allegation that the police had not been given a free hand to deal with those who indulged in violence.

Giving details of the incident, Mr. Kharge said ten cases had been registered and three persons arrested in connection with the attack on police officials. The situation was under control now.

Mr. Shettar had sought to raise the issue as an adjournment motion. He was, however, allowed to raise it during Zero Hour.

Mentioning the matter, Mr. Shettar said the police officers had claimed that they could not take action because their hands were tied because of political interference.

Even as he was speaking, Mr. Kharge rose to make the remark which led to a protest by the BJP members.

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