Arrested development

The public outrage in India over the arrest of Indian Deputy Consul General Devyani Khobragade in the US was echoed in both Houses of Parliament. In the Rajya Sabha, where the Opposition ensured that the matter was taken up for discussion, CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury held forth on how America had consistently been playing "Big Brother" and India, as always, "was bending over backwards for the US". In the middle of this serious discussion with MPs crying out in unison "shame, shame", the House suddenly plunged into darkness. Yechury was heard addressing the chairman, "Sir, when we criticise the United States of America, even the electricity in Parliament goes off. Please understand the depth of bending over backwards that you have done in the strategic relationship," leading to peals of laughter. When power was restored within a minute, a witty Yechury shot back, "Only when we assert our voice does the power come back!"