Unprecedented Move: Rajya Sabha Chairman Breaks Decades-Old Tradition at Farewell Event

A ripple of surprise has swept through the corridors of power following an unprecedented decision by Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, who reportedly deviated from a decades-old parliamentary practice during a recent felicitation ceremony. The event, held to honor the superannuation of veteran official P.C.

Mody, saw a notable break from tradition as the Chairman's Officer on Special Duty (OSD) was not permitted to deliver a farewell address.

The felicitation function for P.C. Mody, a highly regarded figure who previously served as the Secretary General of both the Rajya Sabha and later the Lok Sabha before heading the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), was attended by an array of dignitaries including Chairman Dhankhar and Secretary General P.K.

Mody. However, it was the Chairman's firm stance on who could address the gathering that became the talking point.

According to long-established custom, the OSD to the Rajya Sabha Chairman traditionally gets an opportunity to speak at such farewell events, offering insights and tributes to the retiring dignitary.

This practice has been a consistent feature of parliamentary farewells, adding a personal touch from the Chairman's immediate office.

This time, however, the script was rewritten. Sources close to the development indicate that Chairman Dhankhar insisted on a strict adherence to a different protocol, allowing only the Secretary General to speak at the function.

This directive, communicated directly from the Chairman's office, meant that his OSD, despite reportedly being keen to deliver a speech, was ultimately barred from doing so.

The decision has raised questions about the evolving dynamics of parliamentary protocols and the Chairman's interpretative authority over established customs.

While the Chairman's office has not issued an official statement on the matter, the incident underscores a clear departure from what many considered to be a settled tradition. The move has ignited quiet discussions among parliamentary observers, keen to understand the implications of such a significant break from past practices in India's esteemed Upper House.