How Jagdeep Dhankhar conducts Rajya Sabha proceedings

Every day, the Rajya Sabha chairman provides more and more evidence of his biases. Take today, for example.  

Today, he lets multiple BJP MPs take up the valuable time of the House during Zero Hour, criticising Opposition parties for bringing a no-confidence motion against him. Then BJP MPs repeat their usual rants against the Congress. They also defend the chairman and he lets them speak peacefully, without any interruption; Sansad TV also focuses entirely on them, their mics working on full volume (they can be heard clearly amid protests from Opposition MPs). 

It is not clear under what rule or procedure the BJP MPs were allowed to continue to make these speeches, though it started as a point of order. Then, Dhankhar calls on Congress MP Pramod Tiwari to respond. Sansad TV keeps showing only the chair. Tiwari is shown only fleetingly. A few seconds into his speech, the chairman interrupts him and starts speaking himself, defending himself by repeatedly stating that he is a kisan (farmer) and how resilient farmers are!  

He calls upon Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge to speak; once again, Sansad TV doesn't show Kharge even as he is speaking (barring only a few moments). He is also repeatedly interrupted by the chair and little of what is being said by Opposition MPs can be heard amid the noise. 

Then Tiruchi Siva of the DMK makes a point of order — that BJP MPs make allegations against sitting RS MPs and even Lok Sabha MPs without following rules and the chairman allows it. The chairman doesn't say anything in response, but quickly moves to another MP.

Then Sanjay Singh of AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) intervenes and says it is good that the BJP is talking about farmers today, but where was their concern when 750-plus farmers were killed during the farmers’ protest? The chairman interrupts him, declares that this will not go on record, and his mic is switched off. 

The chair then says Opposition MPs have submitted a notice to move a resolution to remove him, and they are entitled to do so as the Constitution permits it. But why are they running a campaign against him, they are holding a press conference and giving the impression that the chair is sitting on the notice, it will come in due course (if only this could have been said at the beginning, would have prevented all the disruption and adjournments). 

Did the chairman not know that letting MPs on both sides make allegations against each other would only lead to disruptions and adjournments? Why does he let it happen? Why does he defend the government and why do BJP MPs defend him? Is this how the time of the House is supposed to be spent? Is the chairman entirely incapable of conducting the proceedings in an orderly manner or does he let disruptions happen deliberately? 

It's extremely unfortunate that the Rajya Sabha is wasting precious time only because Opposition MPs have criticised the conduct of the chair (he is not above criticism)! In the end, Kharge says, "How can I respect you when you continuously insult me!" 

The chairman then swiftly adjourns the House for the day. Asks Leader of Opposition and Leader of the House to see him in his chamber later in the day to resolve the 'logjam'.