Viral video misleadingly claims Mayawati accused Hamid Ansari of disrupting RS for Namaz
New Delhi: A video clip featuring Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has surfaced on social media, with misleading claims suggesting that she accused former Vice-President and then Rajya Sabha chairperson Hamid Ansari of disrupting parliamentary proceedings for Namaz prayers. The video has been widely circulated, with some individuals making unfounded allegations against Ansari.
उपराष्ट्रपति हामिद अंसारी रोज़ 12:00 राज्यसभा स्थगित कर नमाज़ पढ़ने व तक़रीर करने चले जाते थे।
— Surya Pratap Singh IAS Rtd. (@suryapsingh_IAS) February 7, 2024
सभी सांसद उनके इंतज़ार में ख़ाली बैठे रहते थे,संवैधानिक कार्य बंद रहता था।
हामिद अंसारी कांग्रेस द्वारा नामित थे।
मायावती ने ये मुद्दा उठाया तो अंसारी जी का जवाब सुनिए? pic.twitter.com/izD9HsCmGd
Misleading Claims and Video Context
The viral video implies that Hamid Ansari, as the Rajya Sabha chairperson, adjourned the house daily at 12 PM for his prayers, causing disruptions and delays in parliamentary proceedings. The claims further suggest that Mayawati questioned Ansari about these disruptions. However, a fact-check reveals that the video has been taken out of context.
Upon closer examination, the video dates back to December 12, 2012, during a session in the Rajya Sabha. Mayawati was addressing Ansari, expressing her concern about the frequent disruptions in the House. Contrary to the misleading claims, there is no mention of Namaz prayers in the video.
Chronology of Incidents
The context of the video is related to the discussion around a bill providing reservations in promotions for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in government jobs. The Samajwadi Party strongly opposed the bill, leading to repeated disruptions in the Rajya Sabha. Mayawati criticized both the Samajwadi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for stalling the proceedings and accused the former of working at the behest of the latter.
The fact-check also discovered news reports from December 2012 that documented the events surrounding the disruptions in the Rajya Sabha. The conflicts primarily revolved around the opposition to the bill by the Samajwadi Party, leading to heated debates and delays.
Chronology of incidents
December 11, 2012 According to a Deccan Herald report from December 11, 2012, the bill providing reservations in promotions for SC/ST in government jobs could not be introduced due to opposition from the Samajwadi Party. Though the UPA was in support of this bill, the DMK wanted to include OBCs under the provisions of the bill as well. The BJP had not made its stand clear on this issue, but the Samajwadi Party had disagreements with the BSP regarding this bill. SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav stated, “The courts have criticized this move, and if the government remains adamant on passing this bill, the courts will again reject it. We will continue to oppose this bill.” The Samajwadi Party had said that if this bill was introduced then they would disrupt the proceedings of the House daily. The SP also interrupted the proceedings of the House several times over 14 days while this issue was being discussed. Mayawati criticized the BJP for stalling the proceedings of the House and accused the Samajwadi Party of working at the behest of the BJP. She said that if the government’s perspective on this issue did not change in the following two to three days, the BSP would have to adopt a tough stance.
December 12, 2012, As per a story published on India TV’s website on December 12, 2012, BSP chief Mayawati, during the Rajya Sabha proceedings on the same day, questioned Chairman Hamid Ansari over the frequent disruptions in the House and stated, “The House is not functioning after 12 PM every day. You are the Chairman of the House, it is your responsibility to ensure it functions in order after 12 PM. Who will be responsible for this?” According to the report, due to this row, proceedings were delayed in both the Houses for the third consecutive day. Her anger was over the delay in considering the bill providing for reservations in promotions for SC/ST groups in government jobs. While the BSP was pushing for this bill, the Samajwadi Party strongly opposed it arguing that it would divide the society. Due to the chaos in the ongoing tussle over this, this bill could not be presented in the Parliament.
December 13, 2012, A report published on the India Today website on December 13, 2012 stated that then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had called Vice-President Hamid Ansari to express his concern over the incident in the Rajya Sabha. Despite the insults fielded at the VP, the government and Congress had refrained from openly criticizing the BSP leader. Congress spokesperson Renuka Chaudhary had said that the attack on the Rajya Sabha chairman was saddening, but she also said that the issue of reservation for SC/STs in promotions in government jobs affected one of the largest states and the parties concerned should take note of it. They should be given the opportunity to say what they want. The Samajwadi Party said that the move to reserve SC/ST in promotion in government jobs was unconstitutional and it would deprive 80% of employees from availing job promotions. Along with this, MPs from the Samajwadi Party had threatened to disrupt the Rajya Sabha every day if necessary.
December 14, 2012 Hindustan Times reported on December 14, 2012 that Mayawati had told Chairman Hamid Ansari in the Rajya Sabha that she respected him and his position, and was confident that he would find a way to ensure the House ran smoothly and the bill was passed. She said that it was unfortunate that the bill could not be introduced in the last session or current session of Parliament due to the interruptions.
Correcting the Narrative
The misleading claims circulating with the video attempt to portray Hamid Ansari in a negative light, alleging that he disrupted parliamentary proceedings for religious practices. However, the video's actual context is rooted in a political dispute over the reservations in promotions bill, not religious considerations.
Conclusion
In light of the fact-check, it is clear that the video featuring Mayawati does not support the claims made in the misleading social media posts. The attempt to link Hamid Ansari's alleged interruptions for Namaz prayers is unfounded and serves to spread misinformation.
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