Uproarious scenes unfolded in the Assam Assembly on Friday when a ruling BJP MLA, Rupjyoti Kurmi, allegedly lunged at opposition members, discharging a tirade of verbal abuse. The tense atmosphere prompted opposition parties to stage a walkout in protest, forcing the deputy speaker to adjourn proceedings for ten minutes.
The heated exchange began when Kurmi, participating in a discussion on a cut motion on the Public Works Department (PWD), was interrupted by opposition MLAs Akhil Gogoi and Sherman Ali Ahmed. Gogoi, an Independent MLA, was initially targeted by Kurmi, who responded with abuse. Ahmed, another opposition MLA, objected to Kurmi’s language, prompting the BJP MLA to direct his ire at the entire opposition bench.
Leader of the Opposition, Debabrata Saikia, a Congress MLA, also took exception to Kurmi’s language, urging Deputy Speaker Numol Momin to take note. However, Kurmi, undeterred, stormed out of his seat and charged towards Gogoi and Ali, continuing to hurl insults, including at Leader of the Opposition Saikia. Marshals had to intervene to prevent him from getting closer to the opposition benches.
Momin warned Kurmi to exercise restraint, and the MLA eventually returned to his seat. The deputy speaker ruled that all unparliamentary words used during the ruckus would be expunged from the proceedings. The opposition, however, remained adamant that action be taken against Kurmi, citing the double standard in dealing with unruly behavior. Gogoi claimed that he was suspended from the House for a minor remark, but Kurmi was let off the hook despite attempting to attack the opposition bench.
In the wake of the incident, the deputy speaker decided to adjourn proceedings for ten minutes, a move the opposition opposed. The opposition MLAs felt that the deputy speaker should have taken stronger action against Kurmi, and the walkout was a mark of their disappointment with the lack of action. As the dust settles, it remains to be seen whether the Assam Assembly will learn from this unpleasant incident and usher in a culture of respect and decorum in the House.
