ITANAGAR, 30 Jul: Indian National Youth Congress general secretary Tarh Johny on Thursday flayed Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju for his remarks against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in the Parliament on Wednesday, stating that his (Rijiju’s) duty is to ensure smooth functioning of the parliamentary proceedings, not to defend the ruling government.

In a press statement, Johny said that Rijiju’s constitutional duty is to facilitate democratic debate and ensure smooth functioning of the Parliament, “not to act as a political spokesperson of the ruling BJP.”

“Why is Rijiju more concerned about Gandhi’s language than about the serious concerns being raised by students?” he questioned.

The youth Congress leader said that the government should answer those allegations with facts and evidence.

“Rijiju should also remember that the Parliament does not belong to the BJP or the Congress only. It belongs to the people of India. Every elected representative has the right to raise issues concerning the people, and the government has the responsibility to respond,” he said.

Johny said Rijiju, as the parliamentary affairs minister, should rise above party politics. “Unfortunately, his conduct increasingly gives the impression that he is more interested in defending the Modi government than in protecting the dignity and democratic functioning of Parliament,” Johny said.

He said the people of Arunachal Pradesh did not send Rijiju to Parliament to become a “gatekeeper” for the Modi government, but to raise concerns of Arunachal, defend democratic institutions, and make the voice of the Northeast heard.