Cong members herded out of House over cattle deaths

Earlier, Congress member Khumansinh Chauhan was also whisked away by the marshalls for he defied the Speaker’s directives and interrupted Revenue Minister Vajubhai Vala, who was explaining the government’s position on the deaths. The members demanded that an Assembly committee be appointed to look into the deaths and were in no mood to listen to the Minister.

It all began during discussion on a calling attention notice by Congress member Lalit Patel, who wanted to know what measures the government had takenafter the death of 886 head of cattle, including 133 cows, at the Mahajanvada cattle pound in Virpur village. He alleged that the animals had died for want of fodder, “just like thousands of cows all over the State.”

Vala explained that the particular village was not part of the 29 villages in Ahmedabad district, which have been declared scarcity-hit, and the animals had not died of hunger. Vala said the government could not give subsidy to the pound for it does not fall in the scarcity area but assured help if found that the animals were brought from drought-prone areas.

He said panjarapols (cattle pounds) receive only sick and old animals, and the deaths occured due of this. Congress member Udesinh Baria alleged that nobody from the government inquired about the animals, but Vala replied that the mamlatdar went to the pound and offered all medical help.

As the Minister was answering Shubhash Shelat, who demanded to know which officials went to the pound, Baria shouted, “You all are cow killers, and are finding reasons to conceal your apathy.” He was supported by several other members, who were on their feet.

This provoked Vala and other BJP members, including Health minister Ashok Bhatt, to shout back. The Congress members were already shouting slogans, Gau-hatya bandh karo. Some order was restored with the Speaker reprimanding both the sides.

When Congress’ Khumansinh Chauhan continued to interrupt despite the Speaker’s directives to sit down, he was suspended for the day. The Speaker turned down requests by the Opposition not to suspend him.

The peace proved momentary when leader of the Opposition Amarsinh Chaudhary interrupted to say that Viramgam was quite close to Ahmedabad and asserted that the Minister or other BJP leaders could have personally gone there to verify about the conditions of the cattle. “At least, the deputy minister could have gone,” he said. When Vala was explaining, giving figures of cattle deaths of previous year at the particular pound, that even in scarcity-free years many animals had died, Congress chief whip Naresh Rawal walked into the Assembly showing pictures of cattle deaths at the pound.

Rawal, who was absent, walked in and stated that he had come after personal inquiry at the panjarapol. He was rebuffed by Vala, who said, “You could get such pictures even from Rajasthan.” This sparked off a fracas again, and Chaudhary again demanded setting up of a committee. The melee forced another 10-minute adjournment.

When the House re-assembled, Social Welfare minister Fakirbhai Vaghela raiseda point of order, objecting to the presence of Congress member Khumansinh Chauhan though he was earlier suspended. When Chauhan argued that he was suspended before the adjournment was disapproved by the Speaker, who told him again to go out. Congress leader Chaudhary requested the Speaker that Chauhan be allowed in but Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Mehta citing rules, said, “Chauhan should send a letter of apology to the Speaker, while Chaudhary should read it out in the Assembly and, after this, we will see whether to consider it.”

Mehta stood firm on his stand, and Congress members were on their feet shouting dadagiri bandh karo and thumping their desks. The Speaker, ignoring this, started with other business of the House but adjourned for 10 minutes when the noise increased. When the House assembled again, Congress members continued the slogan shouting and led by Chaudhary, trooped into the well and squatted on the floor. Finally, the Speaker called in the marshalls and asked them to remove the Congress members.