Winter Session Highlights: The Opposition protests center the 12 MPs penalized for "unruly behaviour".
Changes to the electoral laws to allow linking of the Aadhaar card to the voter I-card were passed in the Lok Sabha today amid massive opposition protests against the "Election Laws (Amendment) Bill". Opposition parties said the move to allow the seeding of the Aadhaar card with one's voter ID or electoral card could lead to more non-citizens voting in the country.
Parliament sessions continued to be disrupted amid Opposition protests demanding the dismissal of Union Minister Ajay Mishra and the reinstatement of 12 suspended MPs.
In light of the ongoing chaos, Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu called a meeting to find a solution and "maintain peace and smooth functioning during House proceedings".
However, the government's efforts to initiate back-channel talks to resolve the ongoing impasse in Parliament hit a wall, as Opposition parties decided not to attend.
The Opposition protests center both the 12 members of parliament who were penalized for "unruly behaviour" in the Monsoon Session, as well as Ajay Mishra, whose son, Ashish Mishra, is the primary accused in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence that saw death of eight people, including four protesting farmers.
Here are the Highlights on the Parliament Winter Session:
Rajya Sabha Adjourned Till Tomorrow
Rajya Sabha adjourned till tomorrow
10 Things To Know About The Electoral Reforms ControversyFour changes in the electoral law, the key one allowing linking of Aadhaar to the voter identity card, was passed in lok Sabha amid uproar today. The opposition demanded a review of the bill, arguing against the Aadhaar-voter I-card link.
Winter Session Updates: Centre vs Opposition Over Election Reforms Law In ParliamentChanges to the election law to allow linking of the Aadhaar card to the voter I-card raised massive protests in parliament today as soon as the government introduced the "Election Laws (Amendment) Bill.
Opposition parties said the move to allow the seeding of the Aadhaar card with one's voter ID or electoral card could lead to more non-citizens voting in the country.
"Aadhaar was meant to be proof of residence, not proof of citizenship. If you are asking an Aadhar card for the voter, all you get is a document that reflects residence. You are potentially giving voting rights to non-citizens," Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said in the Lok Sabha.
Rajya Sabha further adjourned until 3 pm
Rahul Gandhi raises Adjournment motion in Lok Sabha to discuss Ladakh's statehoodCongress MP Rahul Gandhi on Monday gave an Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha to discuss the "Statehood and inclusion of Ladakh in Schedule VI of Consitution of India" and said that the party wanted to raise the issue.
While addressing the media at the Parliament, Gandhi said, "I wanted to raise the Ladakh issue and the struggle my brothers and sisters there are going through asking for their rights, their statehood. I want to reiterate and tell the people of Ladakh that they will get what belongs to them."
"Unfortunately, the government does not allow us to raise the issue. I want to send a message to the people of Ladhak that we are with you, we are going to raise your issue," he added
In his notice for Ladakh, Gandhi said, "To constitute a committee with stakeholders, including members from the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), to consider their demands; and to take urgent actions to ensure unhindered access to pasture lands in the border areas that were traditionally accessible."
Lok Sabha also adjourned till 2 pm amid Opposition sloganeeringSlogans including "We want Justice" were raised in the Lok Sabha at around noon.
The Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was introduced in the House amid Opposition sloganeering. Several people said they opposed linking the Aadhaar card to the voter ID.
A voice vote was taken while uproar continued in the House, eventually leading the Lok Sabha to be adjourned till 2 pm.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm without any business transacted as Opposition protests continue Rajya Sabha proceedings on Monday were adjourned till 2 pm without transacting any business as Opposition parties continued their protests on various issues including suspension of 12 MPs.
As soon as the official papers were laid on the table, MPs from opposition parties such as the Congress and Trinamool were up on their feet, pressing for revocation of suspension of the 12 MPs.
Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu asked members to allow the House to function and adjourned the proceedings when some opposition MPs carrying placards started to move towards the well of the House.
Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge rose to press for the notice given under Rule 267 that seeks to set aside the business of the day to take up the issue being raised.There were five notices under Rule 267.
However the Chairman disallowed it.
"First of all the House should be allowed to function then only we can think of that. That's why I am not admitting them," Naidu said while asking members to resume their places and called for Zero Hour mentions.
"My priority is functioning of the House... discipline, decorum, decency. Debate, discussion and decisions are my priority," he said.
"Stunt": Opposition Rebuffs Closed-Group Talks On Parliament ImpasseThe government's efforts to initiate back-channel talks to resolve the ongoing impasse in parliament may hit a wall, messages from leaders of the Congress and Trinamool Congress have suggested.
The opposition, they have made clear, stands together and has no intention of budging from its demand of the revocation of suspension of 12 MPs who were penalized for "unruly behaviour".
On Friday, Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu had asked the opposition and the government to meet and reach an understanding on the issue that has stymied the Winter Session since it started on November 29.