'Kharge ji, this is wrong': Kiren Rijiju tells Congress chief during passage of Online Gaming Bill in RS

Opposition MPs were protesting and raising slogans while Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw was presenting the Bill in the House.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge were engaged in a brief altercation on Thursday during the passage of ‘The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill’ in the Upper House.

Opposition MPs were protesting and raising slogans while Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw was presenting the Bill in the House.

Addressing the Chair, Rajya Sabha LoP Kharge said, “When everybody was inside (the well), you passed the Bill. I have one request, listen to everybody, dismiss our points, we won’t bother, but at least what we want to say in this, if you (Speaker) don’t give us chances, then this is wrong.”

Responding to this, Vice Chairman Harivansh said, “I will welcome if you want to say something on the Bill.” Kharge said, “You said listen what is happening in the House."

Objecting to this, Union Minister Rijiju accused the Opposition of “not cooperating” with the House proceedings and hit out at Kharge, stating that raising questions on the Speaker is wrong.

“Whatever questions Kharge ji raised on the Chair (Speaker) are wrong. The Chair always gives a chance to speak, but they don’t speak on the subject. Accusing the Chair like this is not good. Kharge ji, this is wrong. I iterate and have a discussion on the subject. Since the commencement of the session, they have not cooperated, and at the end, you are alleging that you were not given time. This is wrong. I condemn this,” Rijiju said.

Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha passed ‘The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill’ amid protests and sloganeering by the Opposition.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had moved the Bill, as passed by the Lok Sabha, for consideration and passing in the Rajya Sabha.

Highlighting the provisions of the Bill, the Union Minister stated that it comprises three segments, “E-sports, Online Social Gaming, and Online Money Gaming”, out of which 2/3rd the segment (E-sports and Online Social Gaming) will be promoted and encouraged.

The Union Minister described the third segment, Online Money Gaming, as a “public health risk”.

Earlier in the day, the Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die, marking the final day of the Monsoon Session.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla concluded the proceedings and formally wrapped up the session.

In his valedictory address, the Speaker expressed concern over the lack of decorum and traditions in the House and criticised the Opposition for “planned disruptions” and “sloganeering”. He emphasised the importance of dignified discussions.

Lok Sabha Speaker Birla attributed the House’s limited productivity of 37 hours to “planned disruptions and ruckus,” which fell short of the targeted 120 hours of discussion.