New Delhi:
A month-long winter session of the Parliament began with a discussion on commitment to the Constitution.
While the Opposition, in the course of the session, will bring up the issue of perceived 'intolerance' in the country, the government will press on passing the Goods and Services Tax or GST Bill.
Parliament's winter Session ends with Lok Sabha passing 11 bills and Rajya Sabha 3
Lok Sabha extends term of Joint Committee on land acquisition bill's to the last day of the first part of the Budget Session next year: Press Trust of India
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan expunges her own remarks against the Congress after party objects: Press Trust of India
Lok Sabha adjourned indefinitely.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 1pm.
Rajya Sabha adjourned for 10 minutes after chaos over the Ram temple issue in Ayodhya.
Opposition members raise the issue of the VHP collecting engraved stones for the temple.
Rajya Sabha Adjourned For The Day
Amid protests by the Opposition against Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, demanding his resignation over allegations of corruption in the Delhi cricket body, Rajya Sabha is adjourned till tomorrow.
Opposition returns to slogans and protests as government calls for more pending bills and laws to be passed.
New law to try offenders who are 16 and above as adults in heinous crimes like rape and murder passed in Rajya Sabha
Rajya Sabha Votes On Juvenile Justice BillThe Rajya Sabha begins voting clause by clause on the amendments to the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill, 2014.
Left Walks Out As Bill Goes To Vote"Law making is not on the basis of sentiments. It has to be done on the basis of understanding all implications," Communist Party of India lawmaker Sitaram Yechury said.
"We have had a very good debate. Emotion but have had facts also. Don't make as sweeping statement," Trinamool Congress lawmaker Derek O'Brien.
"If you are not referring it to a select committee, we don't oppose it but we will walk out," aid Mr Yechury.
Left walks out as the Juvenile Justice Bill goes to vote.
"The Juvenile Justice Bill is gender neutral. It applies as much to boys as girls," Union Minister Maneka Gandhi said.
"Questions raised on anti-rape laws. Have they helped? Yes, they have. Many many women who would keep quiet and suffer in silence have come up to register cases," Minister Maneka Gandhi said.
Maneka Gandhi Replies To Queries"We have spent more money than we have ever spent this year. A lot of people have said poverty has to be addressed. Is poverty the only reason for children to turn criminal?" said Union Minister Maneka Gandhi.
"What are heinous crimes? They are murder, rape, acid attack and kidnapping for ransom," the Minister of Women and Child Development said.
Need Absolute Clarity, Says Anand Sharma"House should think can one stringent law stop people from committing crimes? It is unfortunate that such incidents are increasing. Apart from making a Law, the role of administration and society is also important. Social awareness is needed," said Congress lawmaker Anand Sharma.
"The crimes are being committed not only against women, but our children. This is a blot on India and a shame for the country," he said.
"On heinous crime and lowering the age from 18 to 16, I would like to urge the minister and government to have absolute clarity and define what is heinous crime," he said.
Kasabs, Dawoods Will Walk Free, Says Sanjay Raut"Dawood Ibrahim committed his first crime when he was just 16 years. Look at him, where has he reached. He is a threat to the nation," said Shiv Sena lawmaker Sanjay Raut.
"Kasabs will be sent back as juveniles. What will we do? 15-year-old, 16-year-old will attack Parliament and Delhi. What will our law do?," he said.
'What Have You Done With Nirbhaya Fund?'"I am quite sad to tell you. Juvenile Justice Bill is supported by the House. But the way in which the Minister said that it was because of Rajya Sabha that the Bill was not passed, this is saddening. We are willing to sit till midnight to discuss and pass it," Congress lawmaker Rajni Patil said.
"Government is sending the wrong message. If you were committed to keeping the convict in jail, why didn't you book him under POTA or NSA," she said.
"Rs 3,000 crore Nirbhaya fund is lying with the government. What have you done with it," she said.
'Won't Bill Be Used For Revenge?' Asks Ram Kumar Kashyap
"Why are these crimes being committed. I feel the main reason is lack of education and poverty," Indian National Lok Dal lawmaker Ram Kumar Kashyap.
"Wont people use this Bill to take revenge? People can falsely put names of juveniles in such cases for harassment. Then 16 year olds will start asking for voting rights," he said.
Rape Vctims Who Survive Die Everyday, Says Vijayalaxmi Sadho"Everyone spoke of the accused. But no one spoke of the victim. Rape victims who survive die everyday," said Congress lawmaker Vijayalaxmi Sadho.
Ealier, when Rajya Sabha deputy chairman called her out as Vijayalaxmi 'Sadhu', she responded, "I am neither Sadhu nor Sadhvi. I am Sadho."
Don't Think Bill Will End Social Evil, Says Viplove Thakur"Women have become a commodity today. They have become playthings. What are we doing about it today? We are ready to hang a convict, but what are we doing about condition of women? Don't think the Bill will end social evil," Congress lawmaker Viplove Thakur said.
Refer Bill To Select Committee, Says Kanimozhi
"Share of juvenile crime has remained static at 1-1.2 percent. It has not gone up to alarming numbers talked about," DMK lawmaker Kanimozhi said.
"We don't have enough Courts, doctors, judges in the country. There are thousands of thousands of pending cases. We have been seeing a lot of promises. Governments have been promising to increase the number of courts," she said.
"It would be really good if government sends it to a Select Committee
We should have more consideration and debate it. There is really no hurry. The future of our children is more important," she said.
What's The Hurry, Says Kanimozhi"Under these circumstances, the people in the JJ Board will they be experts to decide whether they would be tried as a juvenile or adult I think this is unfair. We are emotional we are worried safety of women," DMK lawmaker Kanimozhi said.
"At this juncture what is the hurry? Why do we have to pass this Bill today?," she said.
'If You Were Parents of Nirbhaya...'"What more proof do we want? Are we slaves to letters. Everyone should once think what if they were the parents of Nirbhaya Then what would be their decision," said BJP lawmaker Anil Dave.
Poor Will Be Most Affected By Bill, Says Congress Lawmaker
"If Juvenile Justice Boards do not have the required manpower. Then are we not setting up a system that will fail our goals? Who will be the most affected? Poor, dispossessed and marginalised - those with wealth will argue and get away," said Congress lawmaker M V Rajeev Gowda on the amended Juvenile Justice Bill.
"Actual percentage (of crimes by juveniles) is about 1 percent and not huge percent of total crime committed. We have to be more circumspect in the way we go about," he said.
'Perfect Legislation,' says KTS Tulsi
"This is a perfect legislation and will fulfil the expectations of the people," said nominated lawmaker KTS Tulsi, praising the amended Juvenile Justice Bill.
Bengal Has Become Rape Capital, Says CPI-M
"I am in complete agreement with Derek O'Brien. In Bengal in 2012, Suzette Catherine Jordan was gang-raped. Government said it was a conducted incident. But Courts said otherwise," Communist Party of India-Marxist lawmaker Ritabrata Banerjee said.
"I come from Bengal. It has been converted into the rape capital of the country. Just recently a lady actress belonging to the political party has said she was molested," he said.
Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Satish Mishra Spar For Comment
After BSP lawmaker Satish Chandra Mishra made a sharp jab calling that "polluted minds" like union minister VK Singh should be boycotted, BJP's Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi led loud protests:
Mr Naqvi: He has taken the name of a honourable member. Please take back your words or they should be expunged
Mr Mishra: I will not take back my words. I will say it everyday. You send him to a correctional home, I will sit down.
Mr Naqvi: This is very objectionable. He is an elected member and a minister
Mr Mishra:I did not say that send him to an asylum. I said send him to a correctional home
'Polluted minds like VK Singh': BSP Lawmaker's Dig
"First we were taught Moral Science. If we failed it, we wouldn't get promoted. But it is finished from schools and society. Today we have internet and pornography through internet. We should socially boycott such people and children whose minds are polluted. Like VK Singh," says Satish Chandra Mishra, Bahujan Samaj Party triggering loud protests.
"The whole discussion is around rape, you are bringing generalised definitions. There should be a clear definition. Can there be circumstances justifying rape?" Satish Chandra Mishra, Bahujan Samaj Party
Arun Jaitley in Rajya Sabha:
- Members brought out the dichotomy in the Bill. Selling a child, the punishment is five years and for selling drugs to children the punishment is seven years.
- On the principle of proportionality, prima facie there is weight in the argument.
Derek O'Brien in Rajya Sabha:
- Focus on the implementation of the Bill
- I would like to compliment the Congress, the BJP and all of us in the middle to make this happen today.
- Consider changing reform period from 3 to 7 years
"I have a 20-year-old daughter. God forbid if it was her, what would I, a so called responsible law abiding citizen do? would I have made use of the criminal justice system? Would I have hired lawyers to ensure max punishment? Would I have taken a gun and shot the person? I don't know sir, but I am kind of inclined, I would have taken a gun and shot him," says Derek O'Brien in Rajya Sabha.
"One cannot achieve the desired results by just lowering the age. The basic reasons as to why children are moving into world of crime needs to be addressed. We need to improve the condition of our reform centres too," says Kahkashan Perween.
Big criminals advise children that they will get money for crimes and will not go to jail but a reform centre: Kahkashan Perween, Janata Dal (United)
Anu Agha is speaking in Rajya Sabha:
- We should be discussing reforming our juvenile homes
- Lowering the age will be a step backward
- Please do not lower the age is my plea, instead refer the Bill to a select committee
If children are ignored, the country will never progress, says Ravi Prakash Verma, Samajwadi Party leader.
Ghulam Nabi Azad in Rajya Sabha:
There should be a separate arrangement in jail for juveniles, can't keep them hardened criminals.
There should be classes in jail for them
They should be educated, trained and reformed
Ghulam Nabi Azad is speaking in Rajya Sabha on the Juvenile Justice Bill:
- I want to congratulate Nirbhaya's mother
- She is not fighting just for her daughter's justice
- She says that there should be no other Nirbhaya
- We all hope that nothing like the December 16 gang-rape ever happens again
It is a matter of shame that we have progressed in the fields of education and production, but crimes like rape still take place in our society: Ghulam Nabi Azad
- If the convict hadn't been released so soon, no one would discussed it and the government too wouldn't have taken action.
- Age is the biggest issue. The opinion is divided.
People are not aware of the fact that the Bill is not retrospective: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu
Juvenile Justice Bill does not mean that a 16-year-old goes to jail, says Maneka Gandhi in Rajya Sabha
Jyoti Singh's parents arrive in Parliament ahead of a discussion in Rajya Sabha on the Juvenile Justice Bill.
Asha Devi and Badri Singh will be present in the Upper House when it debates the amendment. They have led the demand for a change in the law ever since their daughter, a 23-year-old medical student, was gang-raped and tortured by six men on a moving bus in Delhi on December 16, 2012. She died in a Singapore hospital 13 days later.
The Congress, Janata Dal (United), Nationalist Congress Party are divided over the passing of the Juvenile Justice Bill in the Rajya Sabha.
A section of the Opposition wants the bill to be sent to select committee.
Lok Sabha adjourned till 2:30 pm.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12 pm as uproar on the Delhi cricket body issue continues: ANI
Consensus among political parties to pass the Juvenile Justice Bill in the Rajya Sabha, says Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 3 pm.
SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill 2015 passed in Rajya Sabha.
The Juvenile Justice Bill will be taken up in Rajya Sabha tomorrow.
Amid uproar, Lok Sabha has also been adjourned till 2pm.
Arun Jaitley has not been Delhi cricket body's president since 2013. He's known in entire country for his impeccable honesty and integrity, says Venkaiah Naidu in Lok Sabha.
Replying to Finance Minister's statement, BJP lawmaker Kirti Azad said it is a well-known fact that huge amount of money was spent in renovating stadium but everyone knows the condition of the stadium right now.
There should be a CBI probe in DDCA case, says Kirti Azad.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley speaks on alleged corruption in Delhi cricket body, says all allegations against him are baseless and devoid of truth.
Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 2pm as the uproar over Delhi cricket body issue continues.
Union minister Prakash Javdekar said the government is ready to bring the Juvenile Justice Bill today but the Congress is not allowing the House to function.
All parties have agreed to discuss the Juvenile Justice bill in Rajya Sabha.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12:30 pm as uproar continues over DDCA issue.
Parliament to function today after consensus between government and opposition, which is pushing for change in juvenile law.
Members decide at all-party meet to pass six bills in remaining period of Rajya Sabha session: Sources.
All-party meet decides that Rajya Sabha will function from Monday and pending bills will be taken up.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till Monday, December 21.
Rajya Sabha adjourned for the third time till 2:30 pm following continued noisy protests by the Opposition.
Lok Sabha Speaker asks officials to note down names of Congress members standing in Well for breaking rules: PTI.
Trinamool Congress stages walk out of Rajya Sabha protesting Governor's role in Arunachal Pradesh; CPI(M), AIADMK, SP, JD(U) also join Congress in protest over the issue.
58 Rajya Sabha members give notice for impeachment of Gujarat High Court Judge JB Pardiwala for alleged anti-reservation remarks.
Rajya Sabha adjourned again till 12:38 pm after uproar over Arunachal Pradesh issue.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12 pm after uproar over Arunachal Pradesh issue.
We have territorial disputes in the region. I want that Governor's role and Article 356 should be discussed: JD(U) leader KC Tyagi in Rajya Sabha.
You cannot start discussion on Governor's conduct when the motion is pending with the Chairman: Union Minister Prakash Javadekar in Rajya Sabha.
Without informing the government, Governor requisitioned the paramilitary forces: Ghulam Nabi Azad in Rajya Sabha
- Governor only requisitions law and order when there is Governor rule
- Paramilitary forces cannot be called for by the Governor on his own
- Government in Arunachal was elected with a 2/3 margin
- The way in which the Assembly was gheraoed by people which led to proceedings not taking place
- All TV channels are discussing and debating it but it is not allowed in the Upper House
Congress raises Arunachal Governor issue in Rajya Sabha.
If they have divergent views which is natural in a democracy, they must insist on having discussion, but they're disrupting: Venkaiah Naidu
Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari convenes all party meeting today at 2:30 pm in view of pending legislation in the House.
Congress gives adjournment motion notice in Rajya Sabha over Arunachal Pradesh Governor issue: ANI
Congress strategy meeting to take place in Parliament at 10:15 am today: ANI
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm.