CPM member seeks action against RS marshals for ‘physically assaulting’ oppn MPs

NEW DELHI: CPM floor leader in Rajya Sabha, Elamaram Kareem, has written to Rajya Sabha secretary general Desh Deepak Verma demanding “immediate probe and necessary actions” against the House marshals for “physically assaulting and attacking the opposition MPs inside the Rajya Sabha chamber on August 11”.
He also sought complete footage of the RS proceedings on the concluding day of the monsoon session, saying that “since Rajya Sabha TV hasn't aired any of the visuals of that time, we are unable to prove our innocence and provide backing for our complaint.”
Kareem, who was among the half a dozen MPs named by an interim internal report for indulging in unruly behaviour and clashing with the security personnel deputed in Rajya Sabha, said he was dealt a “forceful hit on the chest” that caused him to feel suffocated.
The 68-year-old CPM MP also said it was unfortunate that the Chair “denied the rights of Members for asking division and voting” during the passage of the General Insurance (Amendment) Bill, 2021, and attributed this as the reason for the protest and sloganeering by opposition MPs.
“The heavy deployment of Marshals and security personnel...only to manhandle opposition MPs created all this chaos….This advance deployment of marshals in huge number makes it clear that it was a well-planned action intended to harm the protesting MPs,” he said.