Today is the eleventh day of the Monsoon session of Parliament
Today is Day 11 of the Monsoon session of Parliament. Last week, Lok Sabha proceedings were disrupted as the opposition created uproar over the developments in Bihar, as Nitish Kumar took oath after he made a switch from the Grand Alliance to BJP. Congress accused BJP of 'stealing' their MLAs.
Today, a Constitution Amendment bill seeking to setup a new National Commission for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes is expected to be listed in Rajya Sabha.
Here are the updates from the eleventh day of the Monsoon session of Parliament:
'Government Acted Without Delay': Kiren Rijiju On Mob Violence
"Does the opposition want the government to act as the judiciary?" Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said in the Lok Sabha on the issue of mob violence. "If I keep all the facts here, you'd be embarrassed that you've raised this issue to corner us. We have acted very fast against these incidents."
Mallikarjun Kharge concludes his speech with a small couplet.
Speaker Sumitra Mahajan asked Mallikarjun Kharge to conclude his speech.
"Kharge ji, you were given 10 minutes to make your point. I didn't say anything when you stretched it to 20 minutes, but you have now taken more than 35 minutes. This is not done. Everyone is listening to you patiently. The Union Home Minister is also here and your concerns have been heard adequately. I think you should conclude in the next 60 seconds so that others also get a chance to speak. It is only fair that they get to speak as well." she said.
"Even the former president, who just left office, cautioned the government in his farewell address about such violent incidents and appealed for harmony in society." Mr Kharge said. The Speaker disallowed him from taking Pranab Mukherjee's name.
"One had heard of atrocities on Indians during the British rule... but today we are seeing atrocities against our fellow countrymen in a Parliamentary Democracy. It is a shame that the government of the day is incapable of taking any action. They are just sitting as a spectator and watching such incidents happen one after another." says Mallikarjun Kharge
"Incidents of lynching and mob violence are rising by the day. What message do you think such people are getting. They see that the Prime Minister and the ruling party condemn it, but there is no action taken. This encourages them that no matter what they do, they can go Scot-free because no action will be taken against them... at best people will come and say a few words condemning it. So what is the message that your inaction is giving the - Think about it, and do something. Do it soon." Mallikarjun Kharge futher adds.
Talking to the opposition, Mr Kharge asked "You talk of action, but what action have you taken? There was a mob lynching incident the same day that the Prime Minister spoke out against such incidents. He said that swift and strict action will be taken, but what happened? We ask the Prime Minister - What have you done about it? Where is the action? We ask the government of the day - What are you doing?"
"Who is responsible for all this? Why are such incidents of mob violence rising so rapidly? Who is allowing groups such as the Bajrang Dal to flourish?" Mallikarjun Kharge asks, as he carries on the debate on mob violence.
Mallikarjun Kharge reads out instances of mob violence.
"Violence in the name of cow protectionism is not stopping. Nothing is being done about this. Today, the entire country is living in fear and there is an atmosphere of terror because of such incidents." Mallikarjun Kharge of Congress said.
The following bills are to be discussed in Parliament today.
Lok Sabha:
The bills to be introduced in the Lok Sabha today are The Central Goods and Services Tax
(Extension to Jammu and Kashmir) Bill, 2017, The Integrated Goods and Services Tax
(Extension to Jammu and Kashmir) Bill, 2017 and The Public Premises (Eviction of
Unauthorised Occupants) Amendment Bill 2017.
The bills that have been tabled for consideration and passing are The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Amendment) Bill, 2017, The Banking Reguation (Amendment) Bill, 2017 and The Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy Bill, 2017.
The Lok Sabha is also expected to have a discussion on the situation arising out of reported incidents of atrocities and mob violence in the country.
Rajya Sabha:
The bills expected to be tabled for consideration and passing are The Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill, 2017, The National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) Bill, 2017, and The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2017.
Rajya Sabha adjourned for 10 minutes after Congress creates ruckus over alleged kidnapping of MLAs by police in Gujarat.
Chair PJ Kurian said "With folded hands, I ask to listen to me..."
Congress lawmakers disrupt the proceedings in Rajya Sabha during Zero Hour, shout slogans protesting the situation in Gujarat alleging the BJP of trying to poach them.
Speaking to the Congress in the Rajya Sabha, BJP's Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi says, "You kidnapped your legislators and took them to a holiday resort in Bengaluru. You should apologise to Gujaratis that their elected representatives are enjoying in a resort instead of working for them"
