News Analysis India

Tag: Opposition protest

  • Rahul Gandhi Corners BJP Govt Over Parliament Security Breach, Attacks PM Modi, Amit Shah At Jantar Mantar Protest |

    NEW DELHI: Congress Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi on Friday launched a blistering attack on the Narendra Modi government over the recent security breach at Parliament and asked the ruling disposition to fix accountability for the shocking security lapse. The Congress leader also reiterated that unemployment and inflation due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies were the reasons behind the Parliament security breach.

    Addressing a huge gathering of supporters at the Jantar Mantar, Rahul Gandhi said, “2-3 youths entered Parliament and released smoke. At this moment, BJP MPs ran away. In this incident, there is the question of a serious security breach, but there is another question of why they protested this way. The answer is unemployment in the country.”

    Hitting out at the national media, Rahul said, “The media did not talk about unemployment in the country. But it talked about Rahul Gandhi recording a video where suspended MPs were sitting outside the Parliament…”

    In a powerful display of dissent, leaders from the Opposition bloc, INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance), began their nationwide protest at the Jantar Mantar on Friday in response to the recent suspension of 146 MPs from Parliament. The latest round of protests from the Opposition members comes after days of disruption and chaos at the Parliament in the wake of the incident on December 13, where two individuals breached the Lok Sabha chamber, releasing smoke from canisters.

    Nationwide Outcry: INDIA Alliance Mobilizes Against BJP Government

    Leader of the Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge, announced on Thursday that the protest is not limited to the capital. Simultaneous demonstrations will unfold in all district headquarters across the country, denouncing what he termed the “immoral and illegal” behavior of the Narendra Modi-led BJP government. He emphasized the opposition’s commitment to upholding democratic values and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the security breach issue in the House.

    “The PM should come and speak in the house first. This is really condemnable! We are repeatedly requesting the speaker of the Lok Sabha and the chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The members of the ruling party are disturbing the proceedings. This shows that they (the BJP) don’t have faith in India’s democracy. The constitution and democratic practices should be upheld. Tomorrow, INDIA leaders will protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Throughout the country, Opposition leaders will protest against this immoral and illegal behaviour of the BJP government,” Kharge said on Thursday.

    Rahul Gandhi Takes The Lead: Congress Leader To Join Protest

    Congress leader Rahul Gandhi arrived at the protest venue -Jantar Mantar, around 11 AM to take part in the ongoing protest. Besides Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and several other top leaders of the INDIA bloc were seen taking part in the ‘Save Democracy’ protest against mass suspension of MPs at the Jantar Mantar. The protest aims to draw attention to the suspension of opposition MPs and the perceived disregard for parliamentary norms.

     

    #WATCH | Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and NCP chief Sharad Pawar and leaders of INDIA parties take part in ‘Save Democracy’ protest against mass suspension of MPs, at Jantar Mantar in Delhi pic.twitter.com/nxslPhTB1V
    — ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2023

     

    Kharge Condemns BJP’s Conduct, Calls For Prime Minister’s Accountability

    In a scathing critique, Mallikarjun Kharge condemned the conduct of the ruling party, accusing them of disrupting proceedings and undermining India’s democracy. He called on Prime Minister Modi to address the House before anything else, emphasizing the opposition’s repeated requests for a discussion on the security breach.

    National Outcry: Protests Escalate Across States

    Congress MP Shashi Tharoor echoed Kharge’s sentiments, emphasizing the need for nationwide protests. He asserted that the INDIA alliance protest would be widespread, demonstrating the opposition’s united stand against what they perceived as an assault on democracy. “It’s appropriate to protest and all of us will be at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. The INDIA alliance protest will happen everywhere (Friday) morning in all the states because we want to show the public that if they’d run Parliament like this and won’t listen to the opposition then they are ruining the democracy,” said Tharoor.

    AAP MPs Join The Fray: Support For INDIA Bloc Grows

    Adding to the momentum, AAP MPs, including ND Gupta, Sandeep Pathak, Sant Balbir Seecehwal, and Sanjeev Arora, will join the INDIA bloc protest, further amplifying the collective voice against the government’s actions.

    The ongoing winter session of Parliament has witnessed an unprecedented wave of suspensions, with three more Congress MPs -D K Suresh, Deepak Baij, and Nakul Nath -joining the list of suspended lawmakers.

    Protests, March Against Suspension Of MPs

    On Thursday, INDIA bloc MPs marched from Parliament to Vijay Chowk in protest of the suspension of opposition lawmakers. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s alleged violation of parliamentary privilege for not addressing the security breach issue in the House. The lawmakers carried a large ‘Save Democracy’ banner and placards reading ‘Opposition MPs Suspended,’ ‘Parliament Caged,’ and ‘Democracy Expelled’ during the march.

    What Led To The Suspension Of MPs?

    The suspension of 145 MPs during the current winter session of Parliament stems from a critical incident on December 13. Two individuals breached the sanctity of the Lok Sabha chamber, unleashing smoke from canisters and triggering a chain of disruptions initiated by the opposition.

    The primary catalyst for the suspension lies in the Opposition’s persistent interference with House proceedings, demanding accountability for the security breach. Their pivotal request revolves around a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking clarity on the circumstances surrounding the breach.

    This ongoing saga has resulted in the suspension of a significant number of lawmakers, with 100 from the Lok Sabha and 46 from the Rajya Sabha facing disciplinary action. The suspension, attributed to their involvement in “creating chaos and disrupting proceedings,” underscores the profound impact of the December 13 incident on the parliamentary landscape.

    The Opposition, at the moment, remains resolute in its demand for accountability and an open discussion on the security breach issue, setting the stage for a continued standoff in the days to come.

  • I.N.D.I.A’s protest demanding PM’s statement on Manipur to continue through night

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Leaders of opposition alliance INDIA will continue their agitation on the Parliament premises through the night against the suspension of AAP leader Sanjay Singh and over their demand that the prime minister open the debate on Manipur in the House.

    The protest, which began on Monday morning, will see leaders of the INDIA alliance taking turns with a team sitting near the Gandhi statue through the night, senior leaders said, adding the protest will continue on Tuesday as well.

    READ MORE: Opposition protest to continue till PM makes statement on Manipur issue: Manickam Tagore

    The last time an all-night protest was organised by the opposition leaders was in July last year when 20 suspended Rajya Sabha members started a 50-hour relay protest inside the Parliament complex.

    AAP MP Sanjay Singh, who was suspended from the Rajya Sabha for the remainder of the Monsoon session, is expected to sit at the protests through the night.

    Singh’s wife has already brought essentials for him at the site.

    “All parties have drawn up rosters of their leaders who will represent them through the day and night. Leaders will take turns.”There is full solidarity among the parties.While the move is to protest Singh’s suspension. It is also a protest demanding the PM speak on Manipur whether in Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha,” a senior leader said.

    Sources said that leaders of the INDIA combine have been adamant on the demand that Prime Minister Narendra Modi open the discussion on the violence in Manipur and several parties have rebuffed the government’s efforts to placate them.

    Sources said that Defence Minister and Deputy Leader of Lok Sabha, Rajnath Singh made called up Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, DMK leader TR Balu and TMC leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay to convey the government’s intention of discussing Manipur.

    However, none of them relented on their demand for the prime minister to make a statement on the matter in Parliament, sources said.

    Leaders of the INDIA alliance also said the opposition’s demand for the prime minister’s statement in Parliament on the violence in Manipur was conveyed to the BJP on July 16, four days ahead of the Monsoon Session.

    NEW DELHI: Leaders of opposition alliance INDIA will continue their agitation on the Parliament premises through the night against the suspension of AAP leader Sanjay Singh and over their demand that the prime minister open the debate on Manipur in the House.

    The protest, which began on Monday morning, will see leaders of the INDIA alliance taking turns with a team sitting near the Gandhi statue through the night, senior leaders said, adding the protest will continue on Tuesday as well.

    READ MORE: Opposition protest to continue till PM makes statement on Manipur issue: Manickam Tagoregoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The last time an all-night protest was organised by the opposition leaders was in July last year when 20 suspended Rajya Sabha members started a 50-hour relay protest inside the Parliament complex.

    AAP MP Sanjay Singh, who was suspended from the Rajya Sabha for the remainder of the Monsoon session, is expected to sit at the protests through the night.

    Singh’s wife has already brought essentials for him at the site.

    “All parties have drawn up rosters of their leaders who will represent them through the day and night. Leaders will take turns.”There is full solidarity among the parties.While the move is to protest Singh’s suspension. It is also a protest demanding the PM speak on Manipur whether in Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha,” a senior leader said.

    Sources said that leaders of the INDIA combine have been adamant on the demand that Prime Minister Narendra Modi open the discussion on the violence in Manipur and several parties have rebuffed the government’s efforts to placate them.

    Sources said that Defence Minister and Deputy Leader of Lok Sabha, Rajnath Singh made called up Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, DMK leader TR Balu and TMC leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay to convey the government’s intention of discussing Manipur.

    However, none of them relented on their demand for the prime minister to make a statement on the matter in Parliament, sources said.

    Leaders of the INDIA alliance also said the opposition’s demand for the prime minister’s statement in Parliament on the violence in Manipur was conveyed to the BJP on July 16, four days ahead of the Monsoon Session.

  • Manipur violence: Union Minister Anurag Thakur appeals to Oppn to join discussion in Parliament

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: As Parliament’s Monsoon session remained deadlocked over ethnic violence in Manipur, Union minister Anurag Thakur on Sunday appealed to the opposition parties ‘with folded hands’ to join the debate on the issue.

    Thakur also urged the opposition not to politicise the issue of atrocities against women in the northeastern state.

    The opposition parties have planned joint protests in Parliament on Monday on the situation in Manipur. They have been demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament before starting a discussion on the issue. The government has been insisting that Home Minister Amit Shah will speak on the issue and not the prime minister.

    “Atrocities against women are painful, no matter which state the victims belong to. It is the responsibility of the state to curb such incidents,” the minister said.

    He said the government is keen on a discussion on the issue of atrocities on women, which are prevalent in states such as Rajasthan, Bihar, West Bengal and Manipur.

    “We wish that there should be a good discussion on this in the House, where all political parties will participate. Nobody should run away from the debate. It is my request to the opposition with folded hands, do not run away from the discussion,” the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said.

    He said the opposition should not politicise such issues and should join the discussion in Parliament.

    “The opposition does all this to remain in discussion, but it does nothing to join the discussion,” Thakur said when asked about the protests on the Manipur issue.

    The Monsoon session of Parliament began on July 20 and has witnessed disruptions over the ethnic violence in Manipur, particularly over a video purportedly shot on May 4 and depicting atrocities against women in the state.

    NEW DELHI: As Parliament’s Monsoon session remained deadlocked over ethnic violence in Manipur, Union minister Anurag Thakur on Sunday appealed to the opposition parties ‘with folded hands’ to join the debate on the issue.

    Thakur also urged the opposition not to politicise the issue of atrocities against women in the northeastern state.

    The opposition parties have planned joint protests in Parliament on Monday on the situation in Manipur. They have been demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament before starting a discussion on the issue. The government has been insisting that Home Minister Amit Shah will speak on the issue and not the prime minister.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “Atrocities against women are painful, no matter which state the victims belong to. It is the responsibility of the state to curb such incidents,” the minister said.

    He said the government is keen on a discussion on the issue of atrocities on women, which are prevalent in states such as Rajasthan, Bihar, West Bengal and Manipur.

    “We wish that there should be a good discussion on this in the House, where all political parties will participate. Nobody should run away from the debate. It is my request to the opposition with folded hands, do not run away from the discussion,” the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said.

    He said the opposition should not politicise such issues and should join the discussion in Parliament.

    “The opposition does all this to remain in discussion, but it does nothing to join the discussion,” Thakur said when asked about the protests on the Manipur issue.

    The Monsoon session of Parliament began on July 20 and has witnessed disruptions over the ethnic violence in Manipur, particularly over a video purportedly shot on May 4 and depicting atrocities against women in the state.

  • Lok Sabha passes Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022; adjourns without debate

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022, amid a ruckus in the House with opposition MPs continuing their protest over the Adani issue.

    As MPs re-assembled at 12 pm after the adjournment in the morning, opposition members rushed to the Well of the House and raised slogans demanding a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into the Adani issue. Some papers as well as reports were laid on the table of the House amid the din.

    Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav then introduced the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023.

    Amid the loud sloganeering by Opposition members, the Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022 was taken up for consideration and was passed without a debate.

    As the opposition members, several of whom were dressed in black as a mark of protest against the government, continued their sloganeering while holding placards with ‘democracy in danger’ written on them, Rama Devi, who was in the Chair, adjourned the proceedings for the day.

    The House will meet on Monday as members agreed to not hold a sitting on Friday and Thursday being a holiday.

    Earlier, Opposition MPs were on their feet as soon as the House assembled at 11 am, raising slogans and demanding a JPC probe into the Adani issue.

    They displayed placards as some Opposition members trooped into the Well of the House.

    Bhartruhari Mahtab, who was in the Chair at the time, adjourned the House till 12 noon amid the noisy protest.

    The treasury and Opposition benches are at loggerheads with the government over the Adani issue and the disqualification of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from the lower house.

    Since the start of the second leg of the Budget Session on March 13, Lok Sabha has been witnessing frequent disruptions with Opposition members demanding a JPC probe.

    The Question Hour has been disrupted every day since March 13.

    NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022, amid a ruckus in the House with opposition MPs continuing their protest over the Adani issue.

    As MPs re-assembled at 12 pm after the adjournment in the morning, opposition members rushed to the Well of the House and raised slogans demanding a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into the Adani issue. Some papers as well as reports were laid on the table of the House amid the din.

    Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav then introduced the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Amid the loud sloganeering by Opposition members, the Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022 was taken up for consideration and was passed without a debate.

    As the opposition members, several of whom were dressed in black as a mark of protest against the government, continued their sloganeering while holding placards with ‘democracy in danger’ written on them, Rama Devi, who was in the Chair, adjourned the proceedings for the day.

    The House will meet on Monday as members agreed to not hold a sitting on Friday and Thursday being a holiday.

    Earlier, Opposition MPs were on their feet as soon as the House assembled at 11 am, raising slogans and demanding a JPC probe into the Adani issue.

    They displayed placards as some Opposition members trooped into the Well of the House.

    Bhartruhari Mahtab, who was in the Chair at the time, adjourned the House till 12 noon amid the noisy protest.

    The treasury and Opposition benches are at loggerheads with the government over the Adani issue and the disqualification of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from the lower house.

    Since the start of the second leg of the Budget Session on March 13, Lok Sabha has been witnessing frequent disruptions with Opposition members demanding a JPC probe.

    The Question Hour has been disrupted every day since March 13.

  • Big consolidation as TMC joins call to Congress to unite Opposition

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Signalling a realignment of the Opposition bloc, 18 Opposition parties, including the Trinamool Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), came together and asked the Congress to take the initiative to coordinate with various Opposition parties outside Parliament to challenge the government on critical issues, according to sources.

    At a dinner meeting called by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday, the parties unanimously decided to work together to fight the BJP government ahead of the 2024 general elections. The meeting had representation from the DMK, NCP, JD(U), BRS, CPM, CPI and the AAP, among others. Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi participated.

    The meeting was called to protest Rahul’s disqualification from the Lok Sabha after his conviction in a defamation case. Earlier in the day, all 18 Opposition parties joined the Congress-led ‘save democracy’ protest in Parliament and later marched from Parliament to Vijay Chowk, reiterating their demand for a JPC to probe the Adani issue.

    Speaking to this newspaper, Rajya Sabha MP and CPI (M) leader Elamaram Kareem said all Opposition parties at the dinner meeting, including the Trinamool, asked the Congress to take the lead in coordinating the fight to save democracy.

    “The Congress being the largest party among the Opposition, all the parties agreed that it should take the lead in talking to other parties and fine-tuning strategies to challenge the government on issues, such as corruption (Adani issue) and Rahul’s disqualification. There was a consensus that the Congress should initiate a meeting with top leaders of all parties and take the discussion forward,” he said. 

    According to sources, Rahul told Opposition leaders that “it’s a collective fight to save democracy”. Kareem said that the parties decided to hold more meetings in the coming days to plan strategies.

    Now, Rahul gets notice to vacate govt bungalow

    Disqualified Congress MP Rahul Gandhi was on Monday directed by the Lok Sabha Secretariat to vacate his government-allotted bungalow at 12, Tughlaq Lane by April 22. “You are allowed to retain Bungalow No 12, Tughlak Lane along with its units, for a maximum period of one month up to 22.04.2023. The allotment…shall deem to have been cancelled w.e.f. 23.04.2023,” the notice said

    NEW DELHI: Signalling a realignment of the Opposition bloc, 18 Opposition parties, including the Trinamool Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), came together and asked the Congress to take the initiative to coordinate with various Opposition parties outside Parliament to challenge the government on critical issues, according to sources.

    At a dinner meeting called by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday, the parties unanimously decided to work together to fight the BJP government ahead of the 2024 general elections. The meeting had representation from the DMK, NCP, JD(U), BRS, CPM, CPI and the AAP, among others. Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi participated.

    The meeting was called to protest Rahul’s disqualification from the Lok Sabha after his conviction in a defamation case. Earlier in the day, all 18 Opposition parties joined the Congress-led ‘save democracy’ protest in Parliament and later marched from Parliament to Vijay Chowk, reiterating their demand for a JPC to probe the Adani issue.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Speaking to this newspaper, Rajya Sabha MP and CPI (M) leader Elamaram Kareem said all Opposition parties at the dinner meeting, including the Trinamool, asked the Congress to take the lead in coordinating the fight to save democracy.

    “The Congress being the largest party among the Opposition, all the parties agreed that it should take the lead in talking to other parties and fine-tuning strategies to challenge the government on issues, such as corruption (Adani issue) and Rahul’s disqualification. There was a consensus that the Congress should initiate a meeting with top leaders of all parties and take the discussion forward,” he said. 

    According to sources, Rahul told Opposition leaders that “it’s a collective fight to save democracy”. 
    Kareem said that the parties decided to hold more meetings in the coming days to plan strategies.

    Now, Rahul gets notice to vacate govt bungalow

    Disqualified Congress MP Rahul Gandhi was on Monday directed by the Lok Sabha Secretariat to vacate his government-allotted bungalow at 12, Tughlaq Lane by April 22. “You are allowed to retain Bungalow No 12, Tughlak Lane along with its units, for a maximum period of one month up to 22.04.2023. The allotment…shall deem to have been cancelled w.e.f. 23.04.2023,” the notice said

  • Congress-led Opposition protest a damp squib on day one

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The opposition’s joint nationwide protest against the BJP government on rising prices, farm laws and unemployment turned out to be a damp squib on the first day, with the Congress busy firefighting in Punjab and the Gandhis in Shimla on a personal visit while other parties gave it a miss.  

    A majority of the 18 opposition parties that participated in the meeting chaired by Congress chief Sonia Gandhi in August to chalk out a strategy against the BJP government at the Centre maintained a distance from holding protest. The opposition has, however,  lent support to the ‘Bharat bandh’ call given by farmer organisations on September 27.

    Sonia, along with children Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi, is in Shimla. Priyanka has been in Shimla since the weekend while Sonia reached on Monday morning and Rahul joined them after attending the swearing-in of Punjab CM C S Channi.  

    While the party was missing in action on the ground but for a few state units, there was no word from the Gandhi siblings, who are otherwise active on social media, or from other party leaders on the protest.

    Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Manipur were among the states where the Congress organised protests in some parts. Senior party leader Jairam Ramesh tweeted a picture from Manipur’s Nambol block Congress Committee. “11 opposition parties…joined the nationwide protest… The people of Manipur stand united to defeat the divisive politics and policies of Naren in Delhi and Biren in Imphal,” he tweeted.

    The opposition has been split on the agitation plan. The Trinamool Congress on Sunday termed as “shameful act” after official twitter handle of Manipur Congress said that the party will join the protest against the NDA government.