The Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned until 2pm amid ongoing protests by opposition members demanding a statement from Modi on the violence in Manipur.
Published Date – 23rd Monday 24th July 01:36pm
New Delhi: The Lok Sabha hearing was postponed until 2pm on Monday amid ongoing protests by opposition members demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the racial violence in Manipur.
The Lok Sabha reconvened at 12 noon after an earlier recess, and while the government was taking up some legislative business, opposition lawmakers continued to chant, introducing three bills and withdrawing one amid the din.
While the government withdrew the DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill 2019, three bills have been introduced: the National Dental Council Bill 2023, the National Nursing and Midwifery Council Bill 2023 and the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Orders (Amendment) Bill 2023.
Chairman Rajendra Agrawal urged opposition members to return to their seats for debate, but the latter continued to protest, demanding a statement from the prime minister on Manipur. Agrawal then adjourned the House of Representatives until 2 p.m.
Earlier, when the House of Representatives met at 11 am, members of the opposition from Congress, DMK, left parties and others stood up.
Speaker Om Birla allowed Congress Leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury to speak. Chowdhury said Modi should make a “suo-motu” statement in the House of Representatives on the violence in Manipur.
Birla said the House was ready to discuss the violence in Manipur and the debate would likely start after 12 noon as the 11 am question time should not be disturbed as MPs asked many important questions during this period awaiting answers from the government.
“The whole House is ready for discussion and the government will respond to the debate. But you don’t decide who will respond to the debate,” the spokesman said.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahad Joshi also said the government was ready for discussions, while pointing out that it was the opposition that disrupted the process and avoided the debate.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, deputy leader of the Lok Sabha, reiterated a statement made on Friday that the government was ready to discuss the violence in Manipur.
The speaker continued proceedings as members of the opposition insisted on a statement from the prime minister.
The House of Representatives functioned for about 30 minutes amidst chants and protests from the opposition.
Birla again called on the opposition to allow question time to go smoothly as he prepares to discuss the violence in Manipur from 12 noon.
Opposition members held placards that read “India wants to discuss the violence in Manipur”, “India supports Manipur”, etc.
“Solutions can only be found through discussion. I accept your request. I am ready for discussion, but please move on to question time first. You are not here to shout slogans or display placards. The government will act on the outcome of the debate. Don’t you want to debate?” Birla asked opposition members.
The spokesman said he was prepared to give everyone ample time to ask questions, but only after question time.
The Speaker adjourned the House of Representatives until 12 noon as protests continued.
Violence in Manipur rocked proceedings in both houses of parliament, two days before the monsoon session on Thursday and Friday, with the opposition demanding a statement from the prime minister and discussions on the situation in the conflict-torn northeastern state.
A day before the meeting, a video clip said to have been taken on May 4 that showed two women being paraded naked by thugs in a village in Manipur state sparked national outrage when it went viral.
Police in Manipur state arrested several accused who appeared in the video, officials said. Police said the Nongpok Sekmai police station in Thoubal district had registered a case of kidnapping, gang rape and murder against unidentified armed gangsters.
