Live: I condemn Una incident in strongest words, says Rajnath
The monsoon session of Parliament entered the third day on Wednesday. Both Houses have functioned smoothly so far. The rising violence in Kashmir, flood control measures and demolition of Ambedkar Bhavan were prominent among the discussions.
The Lok Sabha on Tuesday witnessed heated exchange of words when Home Minister Rajnath Singh briefed the House on the recent political developments in Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party have separately served notice on adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha to highlight atrocities against Dalits, especially in Gujarat, following the brutal assualt on some of them for allegedly skinning the flesh a dead cow.
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned twice following ruckus over the Una incident.
Live updates:
01:10 pm: A SAD MP raises the issue of a Sikh student beaten up in Hyderabad mistaking him to be a Kashmiri. Such cases of mistaken identities were reported in Western nations and Indian government responded. But it is unfortunate to see such incident happen in this country. Such incidents only divide the nation, he says.
12:40 pm: A BJP member requests the Speaker to remove Pappu Yadav’s reference on cows. He says it affects “the sentiments of crores of people as cow is worshipped by many.”
12:39 pm: Mallikarjun Kharge says, “We ask you about today’s incident, you are relating 70 year history. He demands setting up of joint parliament committee into the incident. We want to know who is involved, BJP or RSS?”
12:35 pm: “Our Government is committed to stop these atrocities,” Mr. Singh says. Never in free India have such steps been taken as under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “We brought Dalits and poor to the mainstream by enabling them to create bank accounts and get insurance. Stand up India was started for these people.”
12:33 pm: In Gujarat, from 1991 to 1999, 1600-1700 incidents of Dalit atrocities were reported every year. After 2001, there is a huge decline, Mr. Singh says, quoting NCRB data.
12:28 pm: Dalit atrocities in whichever State are unfortunate. Ironical that these happen decades after freedom. Atrocities against Dalits is a social evil. All parties should take it as a challenge and unite to free India of such things, says Mr. Singh.
12:27 pm: The Gujarat government has approached High Court to create a special court to try the case. “I appreciate the Gujarat government for the quick response,” Mr Singh says. Opposition objects to this.
12:24 pm: Mr. Singh says, “The case has been transferred to the CID. A DSP is looking into it. The SC/ST cell is also investigating the issue. The State government has announced Rs. 4 lakh as compensation for victims.”
12:21 pm: The incident happened on July 11 in Una. Victims were taking off the skin of a cow. Accused abused them and beat them with rods. Cases were registered under IPC sections and atrocity law, and nine of the accused have been arrested, Mr. Singh says.
12:20 pm: “I agree with what MP Suresh has said. It is a serious issue. So, I appeal please hear me with patience. Respond after statement please,” he says as Opposition members interrupt his speech.
12:17 pm: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh responds. Whatever happened in Una is most unfortunate and I condemn it in strongest words, he says.
12:16 pm: Pappu Yadav says a cow cannot be protected by harming humans. “I will kill a lakh cows to defend one human,” he says. Nothing is above humanity, he says.
12:12 pm: Kodikkunnil Suresh raises the Una incident and Dalit protests in Saurashtra. RSS is trying to make Dalit-Mukt Bharat, he says. BJP members protest. This is BJP-sponsored atrocity. Is this Gujarat model? Please appoint joint committee and send it to assess Gujarat situation, he says.
12:10 pm: Mallikarjun Kharge asks Speaker to allow taking up of Gujarat issue. Speaker says she will allot time, but not now.
12:05 pm: Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2pm
11:39 am: Prem Das Rai, Sikkim MP, requests Ministry to resolve the connectivity issue in Sikkim, where laying optical fibres are delayed due to frequent landslides. Mr. Prasad says government is considering WiFi connectivity in hilly areas.
11:32 am: IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad says the biometric data of individuals obtained from Aadhaar are safe. We have laid 1.25 lakh km of optical fibre in two years, he says. The Ministers are responding to MPs questions during Question Hour.
11:30 am: We will never sign the NPT, says Ms. Swaraj.
11:27 am: “If we are a member, we can become a rule maker inside,” she says and adds: “We did not create a hype, we tried our best.” She blames China for India not making it to NSG. “China created procedural hurdle on how non-NPT states can be made NSG members.” But an optimistic Ms. Swaraj says, “We will engage them. If they don’t agree today, it doesn’t mean they will never agree…”
11:26 am: In Lok Sabha, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj appraises the House on India’s bid to the Nuclear Suppliers Group. “While it was asked earlier, whether India will be able to become NSG member, now it is asked when? This is our success,” she says.
11:25 am: Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12 noon.
11:21 am: Social Justice Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot assures inquiry into the Una incident. He says guilty will not be punished. Opposition is unhappy with the reply.
11:10 am: In Chair: Deputy Chairperson Kurien. Opposition members storm the Well.
11:00 am: Rajya Sabha proceedings begin. Opposition parties raise the issue of atrocities against Dalits.
10:30 am: The Lok Sabha is likely to discuss the situation arising out of recent violence in Kashmir Valley resulting in threat to peace and security of people of the State.
10:00 am: The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill, 2016, is likely to be tabled in Rajya Sabha today.
09:45 am: Congress has served notice for an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha over incidents in Una, Gujarat
09:30 am: Aam Aadmi Party MP Bhagwant Mann sends a notice for an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha on atrocities against Dalits.
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