Rajasthan Assembly Proceedings Halted for Hours Over Cow Status and Slaughter Allegations
The Rajasthan Legislative Assembly in Jaipur witnessed significant turmoil on Tuesday, with proceedings being disrupted for nearly five hours. The chaos centered around two contentious issues: a demand by BJP legislators to grant the cow the status of "Rajya Mata" (State Mother) and allegations from the opposition Congress party regarding a recent cow slaughter incident in the state capital.
Question Hour Sparks Immediate Controversy
The disruption began during the Question Hour when BJP MLA Balmukundacharya raised the issue of cow protection. He specifically asked whether the state government would officially accord "Rajya Mata" status to the cow and what concrete measures were being implemented to curb cattle smuggling across Rajasthan.
In response, Animal Husbandry Minister Joraram Kumawat stated that Rajasthan already has a strict law in place to prevent cow slaughter. However, Balmukundacharya expressed dissatisfaction, arguing that the minister's reply did not directly address the core demand for "Rajya Mata" status and requested a clearer, more definitive answer from the government.
Opposition Alleges Government Inaction and Protection
Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully quickly joined the fray, criticizing the government for not clarifying its position on the "Rajya Mata" demand. Jully then brought up the Ashokpura incident in Jaipur's Shyam Nagar police station area, where a cow's head had reportedly been severed.
Jully made serious allegations, claiming there were accusations that a key suspect in the case was being protected by a member of the ruling BJP. He demanded a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter, emphasizing the need for transparency and justice.
As Congress MLAs began raising slogans and displaying placards inside the Assembly hall, Speaker Vasudev Devnani intervened. He objected to the use of posters, reminding members that such displays were not permitted in the House and urging everyone to maintain proper decorum during the proceedings.
Tensions Escalate with Physical Confrontation
The situation deteriorated further when BJP MLA Gopal Sharma objected vehemently to the opposition's allegations. Sharma shouted from his seat and, despite repeated directions from the Speaker to remain seated, moved aggressively toward the opposition benches before being physically restrained by other members.
Government Chief Whip Jogeshwar Garg later explained that remarks made by Congress State President Govind Singh Dotasra had provoked Sharma's emotional reaction. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel defended Sharma's conduct, stating that the member had reacted emotionally to what he described as serious allegations made on the Assembly floor.
Repeated Adjournments and Late Apology
With Congress MLAs gathering in the well of the House and continuing their sloganeering, the Speaker was forced to adjourn proceedings six separate times. The disruptions persisted until approximately 5 PM, effectively halting legislative business for the day.
In a subsequent development, BJP MLA Gopal Sharma issued a public apology on social media platforms. He acknowledged that he had reacted emotionally to the allegations and expressed regret for not maintaining the decorum expected of Assembly members. Sharma emphasized that his actions were driven by passion for the issue but recognized they were inappropriate for the parliamentary setting.
The incident highlights the deep political and cultural divisions surrounding cow protection in Rajasthan, with both the ruling BJP and opposition Congress using the issue to assert their positions. The nearly five-hour disruption demonstrates how emotionally charged this topic remains in state politics, affecting the normal functioning of democratic institutions.
