New Delhi, Aug 13: President Pranab Mukherjee has made an emotional appeal to lawmakers to maintain Parliament's dignity, honour and prestige, after a row erupted between members of the Trinamool Congress or TMC and the Telugu Desam Party or TDP over a room in Parliament.
"Please, for God's sake, except you nobody can do it. It is our responsibility, we the elected members of both houses including nominated members, to uphold the prestige, dignity and honour of this great, great institution," he said during an event to confer the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award.
President Mukherjee said the institution symbolises the freedom struggle and "it is the responsibility of every member to uphold its dignity and you have to do it."
A row had erupted between TMC and TDP members over space in Parliament House with each side staking claim to a particular room.
The bone of contention was room number 5 on the first floor, which has been occupied by the TDP for many years but was allotted to the TMC on August 6th.
Addressing the gathering, President Mukherjee said he was touched by the gesture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, when he bowed his head at the stairs of Parliament after winning the Lok Sabha election, as this symbolises the dignity and sanctity of the temple of democracy.
He said he missed his days as a parliamentarian as he does not get to speak much in his responsibility as President.
President Mukherjee also recounted the history of how India received its parliamentary system and Parliament, along with delivering anecdotes about eminent Parliamentarians Arun Jaitley, Sharad Yadav and Karan Singh, who were among the recipients.
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