Why Congress MLAs spent night inside Rajasthan Assembly
What's the story
Six Congress MLAs in Rajasthan were suspended from the rest of the Budget Session on Friday. The suspension came after a heated exchange over a remark by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Avinash Gehlot, who called former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi "aapki dadi" (your grandmother) while discussing hostels for working women. The comment triggered an uproar in the assembly, with Congress MLAs demanding an apology and removal of the remark from records.
Apology sought
Opposition leaders demand apology for 'inappropriate' remark
Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully objected to the minister's statement, calling it an "inappropriate word." State Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasara also demanded an apology and tried to approach the Speaker's chair during the protest. The assembly was adjourned thrice amid the chaos, first for half an hour, then till 2:00pm, and finally till 4:00pm.
Suspension enacted
6 Congress MLAs suspended following protest
When proceedings resumed, government chief whip Jogeshwar Garg accused the opposition of crossing limits by moving aggressively toward the chair. He proposed suspending six Congress MLAs—Dotasara, Ramkesh Meena, Amin Kagzi, Zakir Hussain Gesawat, Hakeem Ali Khan, and Sanjay Kumar Jatav—for their conduct. The proposal was passed by a voice vote. After their suspension, the six MLAs decided to spend the night in the well of the House as a form of protest.
Overnight protest
Suspended MLAs stage overnight protest in assembly
Arrangements were made for their bedding and dinner inside the assembly premises. Jully criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government for suppressing opposition voices, saying "Minister Shri Avinash Gehlot made indecent comments about respected leader Indira Gandhi ji," and accused BJP of having a "dictatorial attitude." Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot echoed these sentiments, claiming suspending Congress MLAs was an attempt by CM Bhajan Lal Sharma's government to hide its failures.
Protest announced
Minister defends remark, Congress announces statewide protest
Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel defended Avinash's remark, saying there was nothing unparliamentary about using 'dadi.' Patel also accused Congress MLAs of disrupting the proceedings and said further action could be considered against them. In light of these developments, the Congress party has announced plans for a statewide protest against the remarks made in the assembly session.