Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Singh broke his one-day fast on Wednesday, ANI reported. He was photographed drinking a glass of juice.
Singh announced on Tuesday that he would fast for a day as he was “anguished over opposition’s attacks in the House”.
On Sunday, during the passage of two farm bills, opposition members who were upset with Singh for rejecting their call for division of votes, rushed to the well of the House and protested. Two members climbed a table in front of him, a member flung the rule book and papers were torn.
Eight MPs were suspended for their “unruly behaviour”.
In a letter to President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Singh wrote, “After what happened on Sunday, I have been extremely anguished, distressed and in mental agony and have been unable to sleep for the past two days.”
He said in the name of democracy, members behaved in a violent manner and that there were attempts to intimidate the Chair.
He announced that he would fast, soon after he met and offered tea to the suspended MPs who protested throughout the night in front of the Gandhi statue in Parliament premises.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded his gesture and praised him for his “inspiring and statesmanlike conduct”.
Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Monday rejected the opposition’s no-confidence motion against his deputy. Opposition parties have accused Singh of pushing through the bills and claimed that the treasury bench lacked numbers.
