Disruptions setting bad precedent: Kamal Nath

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath Wednesday termed as "unfortunate" the disruption during the rail budget, and said it was setting a bad precedent for the future Lok Sabhas.

"It is very unfortunate... the obstruction and creating disturbances and all kinds of unruly scenes... This is a very bad precedent for the future Lok Sabhas," Kamal Nath told reporters after the drama in the Lok Sabha during the railway budget presentation.

Railways Minister Mallikarjun Kharge could not read his entire speech and a couple of members nearly came to blows in the lower house Wednesday.

Asked if the government failed in managing the floor, Kamal Nath said: "It is not the duty of the government. It is the duty of all the members of the house... the house is not to be controlled by the government, it is to be controlled by the speaker and the members."

He said rules clearly stated that the house belonged to every member and protecting its dignity was the duty of all sections.

"It doesn't belong to a particular section. It is the duty of the government and all members to protect the dignity of the house and ensure that the house functions as per rules.

"Parliamentary democracy is to discuss, debate, oppose and dispose," he said.