Kashmir Crisis, Derogatory Slur Against Mayawati Rock Parliament
On Day 3, Congress paralyses Rajya Sabha; creates ruckus in the Lok Sabha over cow vigilantism incident in Una.
- Lok Sabha Adjourned till 11 am Thursday.
- Introduction of Transgender Persons Bill approved.
- Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day.
- Rajya Sabha paralysed by Opposition members protesting against the violence inflicted on Dalits in Una, Gujarat.
- Ruckus in Lok Sabha over the incident of cow vigilantism in Una.
- Rajnath Singh condemns the violence against Dalits in Gujarat.
- Congress’ Jyotiraditya Schindia initiates debate on Kashmir violence in the Lok Sabha.
- Schindia’s claims were countered by BJP’s Anurag Thakur.
- External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj answers questions on India’s failed NSG bid.
- Trinamool Congress member Sugata Bose questions India’s effort in countering China’s opposition to India’s NSG membership.
As Mayawati defended herself in the Parliament and condemned the derogatory remark made by the former BJP leader, soon a ruckus was kicked up which concluded with Rajya Sabha’s adjournment for the day.
Post the adjournment, the Congress issued an urgent notice to Rajya Sabha members to be present on 22 July. Also, voting on private members bill is scheduled for Friday.
BJP Leader’s ‘Prostitute’ Remark Condemned by Jaitley
BJP leader, Daya Shankar Singh, accused Mayawati of selling party tickets for Rs 1 crore and compared her to a prostitute.
The comment was condemned in the Parliament by several leaders including Arun Jaitley.
Mayawati too spoke against it in the Rajya Sabha which was followed by a huge ruckus resulting in the seventh adjournment of the session.
Singh apologised for his comment, but was removed from his position as the Uttar Pradesh Vice President for his derogatory slur later in the day.
Hopeful of GST Bill Passage and Introduction of Transgender Persons Bill
The landmark Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill is likely to be cleared in Rajya Sabha as early as next week as the government expects regional parties like TMC and JDU to support the legislation.
Minister of State for Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal said the Congress’ demand for capping the GST rate in Constitution is “not very practical”, but the government is making a lot of effort to build consensus on GST.
Additionally, the Cabinet also approved of the introduction of The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill 2016 in the Parliament.
Jyotiraditya Schindia Initiates Kashmir Debate
The Modi government and PDP-BJP dispensation of Jammu and Kashmir came under attack in the Lok Sabha over the unrest in the Valley, with opposition alleging their failure to address the situation and pressing for a political solution.
Congress member Jyotiraditya Schindia opened the debate over the violence and loss of life in Kashmir after Hizbulk Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was gunned down.
Schindia questions the allegedly rough handling of the condition of protesters in Kashmir.
India’s stand on Pakistan’s hand in Kashmir unrest is a “marriage of convenience”, adds Schindia.
BJP’s Anurag Thakur Counters Schindia
BJP member Anurag Thakur has claimed that contrary to Schindia’s claims that the terrorism in the country has increased during the BJP regime.
Thakur cited statistics claiming that the deaths related to militancy have gone down from over 1900 to close to 200.
The people in Jammu have chosen the current coalition government of PDP and BJP and will prosper for the next six years, says Thakur.
Pakistan on Suicidal Path on Kashmir: MJ Akbar
The government on Wednesday warned Pakistan that it is pursuing a self destructive and “suicidal” policy over Kashmir in Lok Sabha. It said its attempts to push terrorism will harm Islamabad.
Rajya Sabha adjourned for the sixth time till 3pm.
Rajya Sabha Remains Paralysed
The Rajya Sabha reconvened at 2:00pm amid sloganeering by Congress members in the Well of the House. The Deputy Chairman JP Kurien announced that the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) has decided to discuss the issue of violence in Una, Gujarat in the House on Thursday.
The House was adjourned till 2:30pm within six minutes of being reconvened.
“Efforts on to Bring Back Missing Father Tom”
Lok Sabha MP from Kerala Jose K Mani questioned the External Affairs Ministry about the efforts made to bring back Father Tom Uzhunnallil who has allegedly being abducted in Yemen.
While Lok Sabha members exchange verbal blows over the Una incident of violence against members of the Dalit community, the Rajya Sabha remained paralysed and was adjourned for the fourth time.
The Rajya Sabha will reconvene at 2pm.
Uproar in Lok Sabha Over Gujarat Dalit Issue
There was an uproar over thrashing of Dalits for skinning a dead cow in Una, Gujarat. The Congress accused the BJP and the RSS of working for “Dalit-mukt Bharat”, evoking a sharp reaction from government which cited figures of atrocities faced by dalits during Congress rule.
Suresh claimed it was the BJP’s agenda to polarise communities before the state assembly elections slated by end of next year and alleged that the saffron party was doing it in all states ruled by it.
The Congress member said dalits in the state have lost faith in the government due to which many dalits have tried to commit suicide.
After the Opposition party raised the issue and created din, Home Minister Rajnath Singh termed the incident “very unfortunate” and condemned the violence.
“Congress Regime Saw More Violence Against Dalits”
After condemning the incident of violence against Dalits in Una, Gujarat – calling it a social evil – Home Minister Rajnath Singh shifted the blame for it anti-Dalit practices on the Congress party.
He cited data from 1991 to 1999, claiming that the incidents of violence against Dalits have been highest in the UPA regime.
Congress member Mallikarjun Kharge, in response to Rajnath Singh’s statement, stated that the government is in the habit of avoiding current questions by digging out incidents from the past.
Kharge has demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) or Select Committee to probe the incident in detail.
Rajnath Singh Condemns Una Violence
Rajnath Singh condemns the 11 July incident where four members of the Dalit community where assaulted for allegedly skinning a reportedly dead cow.
The Home Minsiter added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not in the country, but called him up immediately after he was made aware of the incident of violence against four men of the Dalit community.
Besides suspending the police officials on duty, the government has provided upto Rs 1 lakh in compensation for all the victims, he added.
“RSS is Trying to Dalit-mukt Bharat”
BJP-sponsered attacks are taking place against the members of the Dalit members, Congress member from Kerala, Suresh Kodikunnil said in the Lok Sabha as the question hour ends and zero hours begins.
Amid continuous sloganeering by Congress members, Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the second time whereas Lok Sabha continues regular business.
Minister of External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj answers questions about India’s failed bid to gain membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
Sushma Swaraj on India’s NSG Bid
Claiming that India has gained ground, despite the failed bid, as the narrative has changed from “Will India be an NSG member?” to “When will India join NSG?”
Sugata Bose of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) questioned Swaraj over India’s stand on the opposition provided by China. To this, Swaraj said that the government will not stop trying to gain membership to the NSG or convince China in the matter.
She drew a parallel between Congress’ stand on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill and China’s stance on NSG-membership of non-NPT countries like India.
Rajya Sabha Adjourned Amid Ruckus
Whereas the members of the Rajya Sabha have entered the Well and forced an adjournment by raising slogans against the government. The House has been adjourned till 11:19am.
The Opposition members raised continuous slogans in the Lok Sabha against the incident. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, however, continued the session undeterred by the sloganeering.
Both the Houses of the Parliament begin with the uproar over the incident of cow-vigilantism in Una, Gujarat where four members of the Dalit community were assaulted for for allegedly skinning a cow.
Congress Party Meet
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with senior ministers is underway in his Parliament chamber. Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Information and Broadcast Minister Venkaiah Naidu and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley are present at the meeting.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi has stated that her party will raise the issue of cow-vigilantism incident in Una, Gujarat in the Lok Sabha.
During a party meeting held before the Parliament session, Sonia Gandhi said that the government is “anchored in slick marketing events, embellishment and exaggeration”.
The turmoil in Kashmir may also be on the Opposition’s Speaking about the turmoil in Kashmir, she has said:
What to Expect?
The Congress party gave notice in Lok Sabha on the Una (Gujarat) incident on Day 3 of the monsoon session. Congress President Sonia Gandhi has stated that party members will raise the issue in Parliament.
On Day 1, BSP supremo Mayawati had raised the incident of cow vigilantism in the Rajya Sabha.
She had raised the issue of the alleged targeting of the members of the Dalit community in Una, Gujarat, blaming the BJP regime for the assault on the four Dalit men who were paraded half-naked in public.
In an aftermath of said incident, members of the Dalit community are protesting in Gujarat.
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First Two Days
In a major development in the first two days of the monsoon session, the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha. The bill was introduced by Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya.
Major discussions were also held on issues of violence and loss of life in Kashmir and on the flood situation in the country.
On Tuesday, Congress walked out of the Lok Sabha over Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s reply to their allegations that the BJP was destroying the elected government in Congress stronghold states like Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
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