Parliament Live: BJP Fumes Over ‘Insult’ to Prez Murmu, Both Houses Adjourned
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Parliament Monsoon Session 2022 Live Updates: As the Monsoon Session of the Parliament continues, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs created a ruckus in both the Houses and demanded an apology from Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury who addressed President Droupadi Murmu as 'rashtrapatni' on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Chowdhury said that he used the word "by mistake." Both the Houses were adjourned following the ruckus.
Since the Parliament session began last week, both the Houses have suffered frequent adjournments as the Opposition continued to protest, demanding a discussion on inflation, hike in GST prices, and the suspension of 24 MPs.
The suspended MPs, on the other hand, are holding a 50-hour-long relay protest near the Gandhi Statue site.
Video Producer/Editor: Shohini Bose
TMC MPs suspended from the Rajya Sabha, during a sit-in protest at Parliament House complex in New Delhi, Wednesday evening, 27 July.
AAP MP Sanjay Singh during a protest against the Union government, near the Gandhi statue at Parliament House complex, in New Delhi, Thursday, 28 July.
TMC MPs suspended from the Rajya Sabha at a sit-in protest at Parliament House complex in New Delhi, Wednesday night, 27 July. The MPs are holding a 50-hour-long relay protest near the Gandhi Statue and will stay at the site through the night.
AAP MP Sanjay Singh with TMC MPs Shanta Chhetri and Mausam Benazir Noor during a protest against the Union government, near the Gandhi statue at Parliament House complex, in New Delhi, Thursday, 28 July.
AAP MP Sanjay Singh and TMC MPs, suspended from the Rajya Sabha, prepare their beds during a sit-in protest at the Parliament House complex in New Delhi, Wednesday, 2 July.
MPs have breakfast on the lawn of Parliament, in New Delhi, Thursday, 28 July.
The Monsoon Session, which began on 18 July, is scheduled to end on 12 August
Twenty Rajya Sabha MPs from the Opposition – including seven from the TMC and one from the AAP – were suspended from the proceedings of Parliament for the week on Tuesday
Four Lok Sabha MPs of the Congress were suspended for the remainder of the Monsoon Session on Monday
The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the National Anti-Doping Bill, 2021
Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha To Convene at 11 am
The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha are scheduled to convene at 11 am.
Suspended Oppn MPs Stage Overnight Protest, Set To Cross 50-Hour Mark
The protest being staged on the Parliament premises by Opposition MPs, who were suspended from the proceedings of the Monsoon Session, is set to cross the 50-hour mark. The overnight demonstration continued on the morning of Thursday, 28 July.
The day-night relay protest is being staged at the Gandhi Statue on the Parliament premises. MPs of the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, and Trinamool Congress were among those who were seen taking turns to participate in the sit-in demonstration.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi said on Wednesday that the suspension of the MPs could be revoked if they apologised to the chair.
170% Rise in Suspension of MPs Under Modi Govt: Congress
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh tweeted, "Congress, DMK, TMC, CPM & AAP MPs from both Houses on 50 hour continuous dharna by turns in Parliament precincts. They are protesting their suspension for demanding URGENT debate on price rise and GST on food items."
"There's a 170% increase in suspension of MPs under Modi govt compared to UPA. 24 MPs suspended this Monsoon session alone!" he said.
Ruckus in Parliament Over Adhir Ranjan's Remarks on Droupadi Murmu
As the Monsoon Session of the Parliament continues, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs created a ruckus in both Houses and demanded an apology from Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury who addressed President Droupadi Murmu as 'rashtrapatni' on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Chowdhury said that he used the word for the President "by mistake."
Both Houses were adjourned till 12 noon following the ruckus.
‘Sonia Sanctioned Humiliation of Droupadi Murmu’: Smriti Irani
Union minister Smriti Irani in Lok Sabha while targetting Sonia Gandhi over Adhir Ranjan's remark said, "Sonia Gandhi, you sanctioned the humiliation of Droupadi Murmu. Sonia ji sanctioned humiliation of a woman in the highest constitutional post."
She further demanded an apology from the Congress chief, who was present in the Lower House.
'He Has Already Apologised': Sonia Gandhi
On being asked about party's Adhir Chowdhury's 'rashtrapatni' remark, Sonia Gandhi stated, "He has already apologised."
'Deliberate Sexist Insult': Finance Minister Sitharaman Demands Apology
Finance Minister and BJP leader Nirmala Sitharaman claimed that Adhir Ranjan's remark was "a deliberate sexist insult."
She said, "Sonia Gandhi should apologise to the President of India and the country."
Speaking on the same afterwards, she said, "In every way, Congress party has been attempting to undermine a tribal, self-made, successful leader. We, from the BJP, demand the Congress party to apologise to the nation."
She further claimed, "Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi said that he has already apologised, she is misleading the country. AR Chowdhury has been claiming that there is no need to apologise."
‘Oppn Wants To Run Away From Discussions’: Union Min Prahlad Joshi
Speaking outside the Parliament, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said, "They (Opposition) want to run away from discussions. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has come back now and we are ready to have discussions in Parliament. Their intention is to create disturbances and disruptions in the house."
He also spoke against Adhir Ranjan's 'rashtrapatni' remark and said, "This is an insult to the tribal people of the country and the President of India. He should immediately apologise. Sonia Gandhi should also apologise for appointing someone like him."
Sonia Gandhi Calls Urgent Meeting of Party Leaders
Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi called an urgent meeting of senior party leaders in the CPP office; party leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury were also called.
Lok Sabha Adjourned Within Seconds After Resuming
The Lower House was adjourned within seconds after resuming as the BJP created a ruckus over Adhir Ranjan's remark.
The Lok Sabha has been adjourned till 4 pm.
3 More Rajya Sabha MPs Suspended for Rest of the Week
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman adopted the motion to suspend three more MPs for the remainder of the week.
These include:
AAP MP Sushil Kumar Gupta
AAP MP Sandeep Kumar Pathak
MP Ajit Kumar Bhuyan
The Upper House was then adjourned till 2 pm.
54% of ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ Expenditure Since 2014 on Media Advocacy: Govt
A total of Rs 401 crore was assigned for media advocacy for the prime minister's flagship 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' scheme between 2014-22, constituting about 54 percent of the total expenditure, according to the Women and Child Development Ministry.
The key elements of the scheme included nationwide media and advocacy campaign and multi-sectoral interventions in selected 405 districts.
In response to a question, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani told the Lok Sabha that out of the total expenditure of Rs 740.18 crore from financial year 2014-15 to 2021-22, the expenditure on media advocacy campaign has been Rs 401.04 crore, which is approximately 54 percent of the total expenditure.
She said that since the scheme had been designed to bring an attitudinal shift in society towards valuing the girl child, expenditure towards media advocacy was more in the initial stages to create awareness and behavioral change.
1,122 Twitter URLs Blocked on IT Ministry’s Directions Till June This Year
The number of Twitter URLs blocked on the IT Ministry's directions stood at 1,122 in the current year up to June, Parliament was informed on Wednesday.
Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha said that the IT Ministry issued directions "to Twitter to block URLs, including accounts under the provision of section 69A of the IT Act, 2000."
This is compared to the 2,851 Twitter URLs blocked in 2021, 2,731 in 2020, 1,041 in 2019, and 225 in 2018.
As per the data cited, the numbers have risen between 2018 and 2021.
"Section 69A of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 empowers the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to block information in any computer resource in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence relating to above," Chandrasekhar added.
'Our MPs Felt Threatened by Sonia Gandhi,' Claims Fin Min Sitharaman
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman claimed, "Some of our Lok Sabha MPs felt threatened when Sonia Gandhi came up to our senior leader Rama Devi to find out what was happening during which, one of our members approached there and she said 'You don't talk to me'."
‘Can’t Even Think of Insulting the President’: Adhir Ranjan
Speaking on the new political row, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said, "I can't even think of insulting the President. It was just a mistake. If the President felt bad, I will personally meet her and apologise. They can hang me if they want. I am ready to get punished but why is she (Sonia Gandhi) being dragged in this?."
In Photos: BJP MPs Protest Against Adhir Ranjan's 'Rashtrapatni' Remark
BJP MPs during a protest against Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury's 'Rashtrapatni' remark on President Droupadi Murmu, at Parliament House.
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: PTI)
Rajya Sabha Adjourned Till 3 pm
Rajya Sabha was adjourned within minutes of resuming till 3 pm.
'Shameful Behaviour Towards Sonia Gandhi': Gaurav Gogoi
Speaking on the attack, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi said, "Today we saw a very shameful behavior towards our leader Sonia Gandhi inside Lok Sabha. Objectionable slogans were raised against her. But being a fearless leader, Sonia Gandhi went to the women MPs, but BJP MPs behaved in a very ill-mannered way."
He added, "The party which raises slogans in the name of women, today they have shown how they have humiliated another woman (Sonia Gandhi). Our leader was humble and polite. If BJP thinks such small behaviour is going to affect her, it is their mistake."
Both Houses Adjourned Till Tomorrow
Both Houses were adjourned till 11 am on Friday, 29 July, amid continuing ruckus.
Congress MPs to Meet LS Speaker Over Smriti-Sonia Spat
Congress MPs are set to meet Lok Sabha Speaker to complain about the confrontation between the BJP MPs and Council of Ministers and Sonia Gandhi, news agency ANI reported.
They will reportedly be asking the Speaker to facilitate a video inspection of the incident and will also urge him to send the matter to privilege committee.
NCW Writes to Ranjan, to Hear Matter on 3 August
National Commission for Women (NCW) sends a notice to Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, asking him to appear before it in person and tender a written explanation for his remarks, reports ANI. The hearing in the matter will be held on 3 August at 11.30 am.
‘Dignity of the President Hurt’: Law Minister Rijiju
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Thursday, "We strongly condemn the manner in which Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury addressed the President. We have been seeing Congress' comments since the day she was nominated for the post."
Rijiju also claimed that one Congress spokesperson said that "her selection represents the evil philosophy of India."
He further echoed demand of the BJP and said, "When she has assumed office of the President, no further remarks should be made. Adhir Ranjan has hurt the dignity of the President with his remark. Not only he but the entire Congress party, and its president Sonia Gandhi, should apologise to the nation."
Sonia Gandhi Heckled 'Pack-Wolf Style': Mahua Moitra
Speaking on the ruckus in the Lok Sabha, Mahua Moitra said in a tweet, "Was in Lok Sabha when 75-year-old lady senior leader encircled and heckled pack-wolf style when all she did was walk over and speak (masked) to another senior lady panel chairperson. Disgusted to read BJP lies and false version in press."
No Plan for Committee To Implement UCC, Law Panel Asked To Examine Issue: Govt
The government on Thursday said it does not propose to set up a committee to implement a uniform civil code (UCC) and added it has asked the Law Commission to examine various issues on the matter and make recommendations.
Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said this in response to a question in the Rajya Sabha.
"Government has requested the Law Commission of India to undertake examination of various issues relating to uniform civil code and to make recommendation thereon," the minister said in his written reply.
Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha on 22 July, Rijiju had said no decision has been taken as of now on the implementation of a uniform civil code in the country as the matter is sub-judice.
A uniform civil code was a poll promise made by the ruling BJP during the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Govt Spent Over Rs 3,339 Crore on Ads in Five Years: Govt
The central government spent Rs 3,339.49 crore on advertisements in the print and electronic media over a five-year period from 2017, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur told the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
The expenditure on advertisements in the electronic media in the same period was Rs 1,583.01 crore.
The expenditure was incurred by the government through the Central Bureau of Communication, Thakur said.
The minister said there was no expenditure incurred by any ministry or department of the government on advertisements in foreign media through the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
395 Non-Performers, Corrupt Officers Prematurely Retired in 8 Years: Govt
As many as 395 non-performing and corrupt Central government officers were prematurely retired from the service between July 2014 and June 2022, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday.
Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said in a written reply, "Government is vested with the absolute power to pre-maturely retire government servants in public interest by invoking the provisions of respective service rules/Fundamental Rule–56 (j)."
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Published: 28 Jul 2022,10:57 AM IST