Uproar in the parliament continued for the second day after US President Donald Trump claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked him to be a "mediator" on the Kashmir issue.
Congress lawmakers walked out of the Lok Sabha after Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary, party's leader in the lower house of the parliament, said they need an explanation from the "horse's mouth" on Trump's claim. Moments later, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh clarified there is no question of mediation on Kashmir issue. "There was no discussion on Kashmir during the meeting between the Prime Minister and US President Trump in June. There is no question of any mediation on Kashmir issue," he said.
The opposition parties are also up in arms against the RTI Amendment Bill 2019, which will be tabled in Rajya Sabha today, two days after it was passed in the Lok Sabha amid criticism. The amendment bill has been dubbed "RTI Elimination Bill" by the opposition.
Today, TMC's Mahua Moitra also opposed the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019 in the Lok Sabha.
Here are the live updates on RTI Amendment Bill 2019 and Parliament Session:
- The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019, which seeks to allow an individual suspected to have terror links to be designated a ''terrorist'' was introduced in Lok Sabha on Monday. The opposition said the provision could prove to be "draconian"
- Amendment to Schedule 4 of the UAPA will allow the National Investigation Agency to designate an individual suspected to have terror links as a terrorist. As of now, only organisations are designated 'terrorist organisations''
- The bill, once passed, is likely to give more teeth to the NIA in dealing with terror cases, government
"When you question us, you don't see who brought the law and amendments, who made it stringent. It was brought when you were in power, what you did then was right & what I'm doing now is also right": Amit Shah in parliament.
Speaking on the UAPA Amendment Bill 2019, Home Minister told the lawmakers in the Lok Sabha: "We need to unite against terrorism."
Congress lawmakers walked out of Lok Sabha amid uproar over Donald Trump's Kashmir claim. Congress's Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary, party's leader in the lower house of the parliament, this afternoon, told Lok Sabha: "We want an explanation from the Prime Minister. We want it from the horse's mouth. He should come and explain his side of the story."
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today addressed the parliament today moments after Congress workers walked out of Lok Sabha demanding PM Modi should clarify on US President Donald Trump's claim on Kashmir. On Monday, Trump said PM Modi had asked him to mediate on Kashmir issue, prompting attack on central government by the opposition parties. Today, Rajnath Singh said, "there is no question of mediation in Kashmir". Read here.
Trinamool Congress lawmaker Derek O'Brien tweeted this morning that three bills, including the RTI Amendment Bill 2019, are being tabled in the Rajya Sabha with "zero scrutiny"
Three Bills listed for passing today in Rajya Sabha today. All with ZERO scrutiny. And the govt expects us to be what ? Mute spectators ! #ConstructiveOpposition #Parliament https://t.co/jQpLYu8MnG
- Derek O'Brien | ডেরেক ও'ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) July 24, 2019
Congress leader Sam Pitroda today "endorsed" Sonia Gandhi's statement on RTI Amendment Bill 2019 hours before the bill is tabled in Rajya Sabha. On Tuesday, Sonia Gandhi said the central government is trying to "subvert the democracy" by amending the RTI Act 2005. The Lok Sabha passed the bill on Monday.
I agree and endorse the attached statement on RTI of Ms. Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of the Congress parliamentary party. I request all educated and informed people to understand, appreciate and speak on the negative implications of the proposed changes to the RTI Act. pic.twitter.com/nl0NqnCZrk
- Sam Pitroda (@sampitroda) July 24, 2019
