Ruckus over Bikaner girl murder, Cong walks out
Jaipur, Feb. 24 -- The Rajasthan Assembly witnessed repeated disruptions on Monday as the alleged rape and murder of a girl in Bikaner district triggered a political storm during Zero Hour, leading to a walkout by Congress legislators and sharp reprimands from Speaker Vasudev Devnani.
The uproar began after Congress MLA Doongar Ram Gedar raised the issue of the minor's alleged rape and murder during Zero Hour. Responding to the concern, minister of state for home Jawahar Singh Bedham informed the House that the police investigation was underway. He said the victim's body was in the mortuary and senior police officers including the SP of Bikaner, were present at the site. "The accused will be arrested soon," he assured.
Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully questioned the government's handling of law and order. "Had the same energy shown by the chief minister here the other day been used to control crime, such situations would not have arisen. Crimes against girls are occurring daily," he said.
Government chief whip Jogeshwar Garg accused the Opposition of politicising the tragedy. Bedham also hit back, calling it "petty politics" to seek political mileage from the incident. Jully responded that asking when the culprits would be arrested was not politics but accountability.
As exchanges grew sharper, the Opposition announced a walkout and Congress MLAs left the House.
During a discussion on the distribution of scooters to people with disabilities, BJP MLA Kailash Verma raised concerns over delays allegedly caused by administrative negligence. Minister Avinash Gehlot blamed delays during the previous Congress regime but assured early resolution.
Jully questioned who was responsible for the increased cost due to delayed distribution.
In response, Avinash Gehlot took a swipe at the Opposition, saying that with the former chief minister present in the House, there appeared to be "competition" between Jully and Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra.
An agitated Jully objected, demanding a direct answer to the question. "This is not a political debate. Answer the question. You are making a mockery of the House," he said.
Further disruptions occurred when education minister Madan Dilawar responded to a question on the opening of science streams in government schools and teacher appointments. Instead of presenting figures initially, Dilawar launched a scathing attack on the previous Congress government, accusing it of opening English-medium schools without appointing staff and "ruining the education system."
Speaker Devnani intervened, directing the minister to confine himself to the question asked. Jully insisted that the minister specify how many science streams had been opened in the last two years and how many posts had been filled.
Amid further exchanges, Dilawar alleged corruption in teacher transfers during the previous regime, referring to former chief minister Ashok Gehlot and claiming that teachers had accused then education minister Dotasra of taking money for transfers.
Jully accused the education minister of misleading the House and reiterated the demand for specific data. Eventually, Dilawar stated that 3,880 posts were sanctioned in one phase and 970 in another, though the sparring continued....
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