Oppns' violent behaviour in Parliament scripts dark chapter in history, they must apologise: Govt

"Their actions in this session were not an exception but a continuation. From tearing of the rule book last year to the opposition indulging in most unparliamentary conducts ever witnessed by this House, the conduct of opposition is becoming shameful day by day," the government said as eight Union Ministers addressed a press conference in the evening.

The press conference was attended by Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Dharmendra Pradhan, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Prahlad Joshi, Bhupendra Yadav, Anurag Singh Thakur, Arjun Ram Meghwal and V Muraleedharan.

The Ministers pointed out that the opposition had publicly stated that the session should be washed out.

"Their intention was to not let the house conduct business. In fact, the Government had offered discussions on several occasions. However, appeals for discussions fell on deaf ears and they even took papers from the hands of the Hon’ble Minister and tore them," the ministers said.

Both Houses of the Parliament witnessed repeated adjournments during the monsoon session and several bills were passed in din.

The government alleged that even Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not allowed to introduce the newly sworn in Council of Ministers.

"Some Opposition members desecrated the sanctity of the House by climbing the Sanctum Sanctorum (Garbhagriha), namely the table located at well of the House and threw the Rule Book at the Chair," the ministers claimed.

"The Member of Parliament who stood on the table in the Parliament was not only standing on the table but was trampling upon Parliamentary ethics. He was not only throwing a book at the chair but was also throwing Parliamentary conduct out of the House," said the ministers.

The government observed that the oppositions' behaviour was an assault on the "dignity of the institution and could have grievously injured the Secretary General."

It called the "misbehaviour by the Opposition members" as a "shameful disgrace in the Parliamentary History of India."

"It is rather unfortunate that the opposition MPs are not even apologetic about their actions. Rather they are considering these shameful actions as acts of valour," the minister said.

Piyush Goyal said that the opposition has misbehaved throughout the session only because they do not want issues of public welfare to be discussed.

"It is demanded that strict action should be taken on the shameful and obstructive behaviour of the Opposition. They wanted to create Opposition unity to foster national disunity. They owe answers to the nation," he said.

Earlier in the day, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that the outsiders were brought in to manhandle opposition MPs in Rajya Sabha.

In a response, the Centre said: "The Opposition questions over bills being passed in din. However, it is their refusal to allow parliamentary debate that has left no choice. From merely shouting, they have shifted to violence and manhandling staff to disrupt parliamentary process.."

"Also, where was this concern about passage without discussion when numerous bills were passed in din during the UPA rule. Between 2006 and 2014, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA 1 & 2) government passed a total of 18 Bills in a hasty manner," the government said.

Despite highest disruption since 2014, the no. of bills passed per day during this session in Rajya Sabha was the 2nd highest since 2014 (i.e. 1.1 bills per day passed). The time lost due to interruptions / adjournments (till Aug 11) was 76 Hours 26 Minutes and the highest average time per day lost due to interruptions / adjournments since the 231st session of Rajya Sabha in 201 was 4 Hours 30 Minutes, informed the Narendra Modi government.

"Despite all the chaos and disruption, 19 Bills passed in Rajya Sabha (incl. Constitutional Amendment on OBC reservation also passed), which are in national interest and will benefit the poor, OBCs, workers, entrepreneurs, & all sections of our society," the ministers said at the press conference.

"This reflects the commitment, productivity and ability of the Govt to drive legislative agenda in the Parliament, which aims to fulfil the aspirations of its citizens. It will shape the future of our country. Govt successfully carried out Govt business during the session," they added.

During the overall monsoon session, the opposition had put up a united front against the government over the Pegasus snooping controversy, farm laws, price rise, and other issues.

Opposition leaders held several strategy meets through the session, and held demonstrations as well.

The monsoon session of Parliament, which started on July 19 was scheduled to end on August 13, but was cut short amid continuing protests.