CONGRESS MLA, NEERAJ SHARMA 'S ATTIRE SPARKS CONTROVERSY

Congress MLA, Neeraj Sharma, has stirred controversy by expressing his intention to attendthe upcoming assembly session donned in a shroud adorned with 'Jai Siya Ram,' Tulsidas's quatrains, and issues related to his constituency. Despite being refused permission by Speaker Gian Chand Gupta, Sharma, recognized as the "Best MLA" in 2022, remains persistent, even offering to undergo inspection for any alleged violation of parliamentary decorum. 

The MLA from Faridabad NIT, Neeraj Sharma, initially adopted this unique form of protest on January 17. This move was triggered by the delay in the BJP-JJP government's approval of Rs 27 crore for civic projects in his constituency, a promise made during the winter session. The Speaker, Gian Chand Gupta, responded to Sharma's intention to wear the shroud during the session, stating that such attire would "violate the decorum" of the assembly.

Sharma had previously faced opposition when the police prevented him from attending the Republic Day parade in Panipat on January 26 due to his unconventional attire. Despite being detained, he was eventually released with the intervention of opposition leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

Anticipating potential restrictions during the budget session starting on February 20, Sharma wrote to the Speaker, detailing the circumstances that led to his symbolic protest. In his letter, Sharma clarified that his attire bore no unparliamentary language and included references to Lord Ram, a Swastik mark of Sanatan Dharma, Tulsidas's quatrains, and issues from his assembly constituency.

Gupta, in response to media inquiries, emphasised that Sharma's proposed attire contradicted the assembly's decorum, regardless of his recognition as the best MLA in 2022. The Speaker hinted that the award could be withdrawn if Sharma persisted in his unconventional approach.

In a subsequent letter to Gupta, Sharma sought an appointment on February 7 to allow experts to inspect his clothes and address any concerns. Despite the ongoing dispute, Gupta reiterated that legislative rules prohibit MLAs from violating the assembly's decorum, emphasising that Sharma's attire resembled a banner, which is against the established regulations. As the controversy unfolds, Haryana braces for a potentially unprecedented situation during the upcoming assembly session, where a legislator's attire takes centre stage in the realm of parliamentary conduct.