Jaipur’s legislative chambers turned chaotic on Wednesday as a heated debate on the Governor’s address spiraled into controversy. The session, meant to discuss key state issues like youth unemployment and tribal rights, saw sharp exchanges between ruling BJP and opposition Congress members. Tensions peaked when senior Congress leader and former minister Shanti Dhariwal unleashed objectionable language while criticizing the government’s handling of skill development programs.
Dhariwal warned that failing to equip millions of young people with employable skills amid a burgeoning youth population could spell disaster for the nation. His pointed remarks drew a sarcastic retort from government chief whip Jogeshwar Garg, who quipped without naming anyone, ‘In this country, everyone has a job except one youth.’ This sparked a fiery comeback from Dhariwal, during which he allegedly used unparliamentary words, igniting outrage in the house.
Garg immediately objected, accusing Dhariwal of repeating his past pattern of crude behavior and demanded the remarks be expunged. The Speaker obliged, ordering the removal of the offensive comments from the record. This isn’t Dhariwal’s first brush with such controversies; he has previously apologized for similar outbursts.
The drama didn’t end there. BAP legislator Anil Katara from Chaurasi accused the ‘double-engine’ government of neglecting tribal communities, alleging rampant deforestation, land grabs, and illegal mining in tribal areas. He demanded a separate Bheel state, vowing protests from streets to the assembly if injustices continue. Congress MLA Ramila Khadiya piled on, slamming the Tribal Area Development Minister for arbitrary decisions, favoritism in appointments, delayed teacher salaries, and poor nutrition quality in anganwadi centers.
The minister responded by proposing a committee under Khadiya’s chairmanship to probe these issues. Earlier, question hour and zero hour were marred by similar clashes, including a showdown with Urban Development Minister Jhabar Singh Kharra over housing schemes. Persistent disruptions forced the Speaker to adjourn the house until Thursday morning.