RS remembers Quit India Movement; Venkaiah urges House to raise productivity

While the morning session of Rajya Sabha was on Monday washed out once again, as the Opposition continued to demand discussions on different issues, the House paid tribute to the participants of the Quit India Movement in 1942 on its anniversary.

Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said that on this occasion “we also need to remind ourselves of the imperative need to effectively nurture our legislative bodies, the principal institutions of self-rule, which was the sole objective of the freedom struggle, in which millions laid down their lives.”

After the House paid its tribute, Congress leaders Anand Sharma said that in his reference Naidu had missed mentioning that the call for Quit India was given “following the passage of the resolution at the historic Gowalia Tank by the Congress Working Committee, which led to banning of the Congress and imprisonment of all its leaders for three years”. His colleague Jairam Ramesh also mentioned that this was not part of Naidu’s reference.

Agreeing with them, Naidu said, “We can include this.” He said that he has “no hesitation” in including this point, and added, “Let us not have controversies. It is a historical fact.”

But as some members continued to speak about it, he said, “This is not expected, at least on this occasion. You don’t want it to be a solemn affair and want to create controversy?…. Whatever is part of history, it is there.”

He said, “Let us remember the Quit India Movement spirit. Let us remember the great performance by our sportspersons in Tokyo, and let us also rededicate ourselves to strengthening democracy by having a peaceful conduct of the House.”

He also spoke about India’s performance in the Olympics, and adjourned the House until noon. When the House resumed, Deputy Chairman Harivansh adjourned it within minutes till 2 pm as Opposition members kept up their protests.