Today in Politics: Amid empty Oppn benches, RS to take up 3 criminal Bills; LS to debate CEC Bill
The ongoing Winter Session of Parliament is in its final stretch, with only two days left for its conclusion. The session has stood out for record number of suspensions of the Opposition’s MPs from the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha – altogether 143 suspended MPs so far – the highest in Indian parliamentary history.
On Thursday, the Rajya Sabha is set to take up three criminal justice Bills for consideration and passing, which figure in its revised list of business for the day.
The three Bills aim to overhaul the country’s criminal justice system by replacing colonial-era laws.
Defining terror to death for lynching: Lok Sabha nod for 3 Bills on new criminal laws
From expanding detention in police custody from the current 15-day limit to up to 90 days, bringing terror, corruption and organised crime under ordinary legislation for the first time to decriminalising homosexuality and adultery, the Lok Sabha Wednesday passed three key Bills – Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023; the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023; and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill, 2023 – to completely overhaul the country’s criminal laws.
Once enacted, these will replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860; The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (originally enacted in 1898); and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.
Piloting the Bills, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said these are aimed at indigenising laws originally enacted by the British.
Early end to tumultuous Winter Session of Parliament
Parliament's Winter Session was adjourned sine die on Thursday, a day ahead of schedule ending three frenetic weeks that saw a security breach in Lok Sabha, suspension of 146 MPs and the expulsion of Trinamool Congress member Mahua Moitra in the "bribe-for-query" case.
The session, which began on December 4, saw both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha running largely peacefully for the first week but the scenario changed after December 13.
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with an Express account.
On the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack, two people jumped into the chamber of the Lower House of Parliament from the public gallery during the Zero Hour, released yellow gas from canisters and shouted slogans before being overpowered by MPs.
During the session, both the Houses approved some key bills such as those to replace colonial-era laws Indian Penal Code (IPC), Indian Evidence Act, Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), Telegraph Act and Press and Registration of Books Act.
These bills were passed by voice vote with almost empty opposition benches in the House. While 100 MPs were suspended from Lok Sabha, another 46 from Rajya Sabha for unruly behaviour, disrupting proceedings and showing placards and raising slogans over the breach issue.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said the House recorded 74 per cent productivity, and 18 draft legislations, including the new criminal justice bills, were passed.
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said the Upper House was able to transact business for 65 hours during the 14 sittings.
These legal reforms redefine our legal framework to be more relevant and empathy driven: PM Modi on criminal law Bills
PM Narendra Modi reacted to the passing of the amended criminal law Bills in the Rajya Sabha. "The passage of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 is a watershed moment in our history. These Bills mark the end of colonial-era laws. A new era begins with laws centered on public service and welfare," he said in a post on X.
Will miss IPC section 420: Nominated Rajya Sabha member Mahesh Jethmalani
Senior advocate and nominated MP Mahesh Jethmalani told the Rajya Sabha on Thursday that he will miss some parts of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), especially section 420 that is imprinted in everyone's mind and became so popular that even a Hindi film titled "Shree 420" was made in the 1950s.
He was participating in a debate on three criminal amendment bills in the Upper House of Parliament.
Rajya Sabha adjourned sine die
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned sine die on Thursday, a day ahead of the scheduled end of Parliament's Winter session.
The Upper House of Parliament was adjourned sine die (indefinitely) after it passed three bills that seek to replace the colonial-era criminal laws -- the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Indian Evidence Act.
The House also cleared the Telecommunications Bill, 2023 that aims to reform the country's century-old telecom law to make the sector investor-friendly, prioritises user protection but also extends powers to the government to intercept communications.
Earlier in the day, the Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die.
The Winter session began on December 4 and was scheduled to conclude on December 22.
Three Bills related to the criminal law system passed by the Rajya Sabha
"The three historic bills were passed unanimously," says Chair Jagdeep Dhankhar after the House passed the Bills that seek to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC) of 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and Indian Evidence Act of 1872.
Least number of mob lynching incidents reported since Independence under Modi govt: Amit Shah
- "Over 70,000 people killed due to terrorism on account of Cong govt's wrong policies", he says speaking in the Rajya Sabha.
The House on Thursday took up discussion on the three bills that seek to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC) of 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and Indian Evidence Act of 1872.
The bills were moved for consideration and passing in the House by Home Minister Amit Shah.
I feel proud that Indian Parliament has framed laws for criminal justice system: Amit Shah
'Today we are completing what was mentioned in our 'Sankalp Patra': Amit Shah
Stringent punishment to be given to those who work against country through new criminal laws: Amit Shah says in his Rajya Sabha address, adding that "Modi does what he says."
Union Home Minister Amit Shah speaks in the Rajya Sabha
"The three Bills I have tabled today are not intended at punishing, but giving justice," says Union Home Minister Amit Shah while speaking on Bills to replace IPC, CrPC and Evidence Act.
"The order of the sections (in the current criminal laws) show that looting the treasury, breaking the railway tracks and conspiring against the British rule were prioritised over murder and crimes against women."
"We had been deliberating and discussing on this since August 2019. I feel joyous to be presenting this today. Not just the names of laws have been changed, but major changes have been made in their objectives. Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code and Evidence Act were formulated to safeguard the British rule."
"Definition of terrorism included in new criminal laws."
PM Modi meets Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on last day of the Winter Session
Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi and other leaders on the last day of the Winter Session of Parliament.
Rajya Sabha: The House extends sitting time
The Rajya Sabha extends its sitting time of the day to dispose off the listed matters of business. Chair Jagdeep Dhankhar makes the announcement before discussion on the Bills continue.
Parliament passes Telecommunications Bill, 2023
Parliament on Thursday passed a Bill that seeks to allow the government to temporarily take control of telecom services in the interest of national security and also provide a non-auction route for the allocation of satellite spectrum.
The Telecommunications Bill, 2023, was approved by the Rajya Sabha through a voice vote. It was passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday after a short debate.
It also allows the government to take possession of a telecom network in case of a public emergency or in the interest of public safety. Besides this, it provides for stopping transmission and intercepting messages in case of a public emergency, in the interest of the public, to prevent incitement for committing offence.
The press messages of correspondents accredited to the Centre or state governments shall not be intercepted or detained unless their transmission has been prohibited under rules applicable to public emergency and public order etc, according to the Bill.
Replying to the debate, Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the Telecommunications Bill, 2023, "is being brought keeping in mind the aspirations of 'new India' to replace two colonial-era laws".
"In the last nine and half years, India's telecom sector has emerged from a very difficult period marred by scams to become a sunrise sector," the minister asserted.
Lok Sabha records 74 per cent productivity in Winter Session: Om Birla
The Lok Sabha, which was adjourned sine die a day ahead of schedule on Thursday, recorded 74 per cent productivity in the Winter Session of Parliament, Speaker Om Birla said.
Birla in his concluding remarks said that the House held 14 sittings and worked for 61 hours and 50 minutes.
He said that a total of 18 bills, including Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Sanhita - to replace the IPC, CrPC and the Indian Evidence Act, were passed in the Lok Sabha.
The bills that were passed in the Lok Sabha also include the Central Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Telecommunications Bill, 2023.
Birla mentioned that 55 starred questions were answered orally during the Session.
A total number of 265 matters were taken up under Rule 377, he added.
Parliament nod to bill to simplify newspaper registration process
Parliament on Thursday passed a bill to replace a British-era law governing publishing industry and simplify the process of registration of periodicals.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023, which was passed by voice vote in the Lok Sabha, will make the registration of periodicals a one-step process as against the eight-step process in the archaic law.
The bill replaces the Press and Registration of Books (PRB) Act, 1867.
"This bill is simple, smart and has a simultaneous process for registration of newspapers and periodicals. Earlier newspapers or magazines had to pass through an eight-step registration process. This can now be done at the click of a button," he said.
The Rajya Sabha had passed the bill on August 3. PTI
Rajya Sabha: Discussion on bills to replace IPC, CrPC, Evidence Act continues
The Rajya Sabha on Thursday took up discussion on the three bills that seek to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC) of 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and Indian Evidence Act of 1872.
The bills were moved for consideration and passing in the House by Home Minister Amit Shah.
The three bills - Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023 and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill, 2023 - were passed Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
Amit Shah said in his reply to the debate in Lok Sabha that for the first time, changes have been made in the three laws governing the nearly 150-year-old criminal justice system.
Rajya Sabha: Discussion on bills to replace IPC, CrPC, Evidence Act continues
The Rajya Sabha on Thursday took up discussion on the three bills that seek to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC) of 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and Indian Evidence Act of 1872.
The bills were moved for consideration and passing in the House by Home Minister Amit Shah.
The three bills - Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023 and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill, 2023 - were passed Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
Amit Shah said in his reply to the debate in Lok Sabha that for the first time, changes have been made in the three laws governing the nearly 150-year-old criminal justice system.
Lok Sabha adjourned sine die
As Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla adjourned the session sine die, PM Modi was present in the House.
Rajya Sabha takes up discussion on bills to replace IPC, CrPC, Evidence Act
3 more opposition MPs suspended from Lok Sabha, total number now 100
Three Congress MPs were suspended from the Lok Sabha on Thursday for the remainder of the Winter session for unruly behaviour, taking the total number of members of the lower House against whom such action has been taken to 100.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi moved a motion for the suspension of D K Suresh, Deepak Baij and Nakul Nath.
"This House having taken serious note of misconduct of Deepak Baij, D K Suresh, Nakul Nath in utter disregard to the House and authority of the Chair through display of placards, entering into the Well of the House...may be suspended from the House for remaining session," Joshi said.
Earlier in the day, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla had warned the three MPs against protesting in the House.
Himachal BJP demands stern action against opposition MPs for 'insulting' Dhankhar
Irked over the video of Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee mimicking Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, the BJP on Friday staged a protest outside the premises of the deputy commissioner's office here demanding stern action against the MPs for "insulting" Dhankhar.
The party leaders gathered outside the DC office and raised slogans against the opposition leaders. After the protest, BJP leaders submitted memorandums to the governor and additional district magistrate (ADM) (law and order). The party also demanded a public apology from the opposition leaders.
During the protest, former urban development minister Suresh Bhardwaj said the way the vice president and chairman of the Rajya Sabha was ridiculed by arrogant leaders, is not just an insult of an individual or a post, but is the height of the "insult" of the Constitution. PTI
4 accused in Parliament security breach produced before Patiala HC today
Modi ecosystem talking about farmers, caste after silence on caste census demand: Congress
Taking a swipe at the BJP over the mimicry issue, the Congress on Thursday said the "Modi ec(h)o system" has gotten hyper-vocal talking about farmers and caste after remaining silent on issues such as caste census demand and farmers' agitation.
A political row broke out on Tuesday after Trinamool Congress leader Kalyan Banerjee derisively mimicked Dhankhar during the opposition's protest on the stairs of Parliament against the MPs' suspension, drawing strong condemnation from the ruling BJP. Several BJP leaders have also slammed the opposition over the issue, saying the mimicry was an insult to farmers and Dhankhar's community.
In an apparent attack on the BJP, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said this is nothing but "the famed Modi 3D vision at work: Distortion, Diversion and Distraction". "The Modi ec(h)o system is completely silent on: Manipur. Over 700 deaths during farmers' agitation. Violence on women wrestlers by Delhi police and sexual harassment of wrestlers by a BJP MP," Ramesh said in a post on X. (PTI)
Lok Sabha gives nod to new Bill to regulate appointment of top election officials
The Lok Sabha has passed the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service, and Term of Office) Bill, 2023, which seeks to regulate the appointment of top officials of the Election Commission.
The Bill seeks to regulate the appointment of the CEC and two ECs by constituting a three-member selection committee comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition and a Cabinet Minister. The Bill, already passed by the Rajya Sabha, retains the status of the ECs on par with the Supreme Court judges.
Who are the remaining Opposition MPs, protesting in Lok Sabha?
During the Lok Sabha proceedings today, three congress MPs - Deepak Baij, Nakul Nath and D K Suresh -- continued their protest showing placards, shouting slogans and tearing papers and throwing them at the speaker chair. However, they have not been suspended yet. (Liz Mathew reports)
Road construction projects worth Rs 65,000 crore underway in Delhi, nearby areas: Gadkari
Work on projects worth Rs 65,000 crore is underway in Delhi and its nearby areas for the construction of roads, highways and expressways, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said on Thursday. Work on an expressway connecting Delhi's Akshardham temple to Dehradun has started. Once it is completed, it will only take two hours to reach Dehradun from Delhi and one-and-a-half hours to reach Haridwar, the minister said in the Lok Sabha. (PTI)
‘Passing important legislations by suspending Oppn MPs is worst kind of authoritarianism,’ says Kharge
“Passing important legislations by suspending Opposition MPs is not Democracy. It is the worst kind of authoritarianism,” Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge tweeted. His remarks come as Opposition MPs hold a protest march to Vijay Chowk in solidarity with the members suspended from Parliament this week.
Parliament Live Updates: Contentious CEC Bill taken up for discussion in Lok Sabha
The contentious Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023 has been taken up for discussion in the Lok Sabha.
The Bill seeks to regulate the appointment of the CEC and two ECs by constituting a three-member selection committee comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition and a Cabinet Minister. The Bill, already passed by the Rajya Sabha, retains the status of the ECs on par with the Supreme Court judges.
Express Opinion | Behind suspension of 143 MPs, a political immorality
The suspension from the House of a large number of Opposition Members of Parliament in the Winter Session underlines the institutional weakening of our political system. Parliament has been converted into a zone of conflict, where the established norms of discussion and deliberation are being conveniently sidelined. The ruling party invokes the House rules to supersede the parliamentary customs and conventions simply to get rid of the Opposition while the Opposition uses the act of disruption as a legitimate political technique.
This government versus Opposition framework, however, should not be exaggerated. It is an outcome of a much deeper political crisis, which poses a serious challenge to our democratic values and egalitarian constitutional principles. In my view, there are four identifiable facets of this political crisis.
First, the idea of legislative discussion has lost its political significance. A close reading of parliamentary debates in recent years shows that MPs always adhere to party-line and/or the compulsion of a coalition/block to make any comment, criticism or observation.
Writes Hilal Ahmed
Parliament Live Updates | 'Taanashahi bandh karo': Remaining Opposition leaders continue protest in Lok Sabha
Opposition leaders can be heard chanting "Taanashahi bandh karo" ("stop the dictatorship") in the Lok Sabha.
Meanwhile in Parliament: Question hour underway in Rajya Sabha; protests in Lok Sabha
It's business as usual in Rajya Sabha, where the Question Hour is well underway. Meanwhile, Lok Sabha is witnessing some chaos, as the remaining Opposition leaders continued their protests.
Parliament Live Updates: 'INDIA bloc leaders will protest MP suspensions at Jantar Mantar on Friday, nationwide protests will be held,' says Kharge
Addressing the media, Kharge further said that INDIA bloc leaders will protest the suspension of 143 Opposition MPs at Jantar Mantar tomorrow. He added that protests will be held across the nation.
Parliament Live: 'PM Modi, Shah should have spoken in House about security breach,' says Kharge
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah should have addressed the December 13 Security Breach issue in Parliament, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said. "We are repeatedly requesting LS Speaker, RS chairman to allow us to speak on security breach," he told the media on Thursday morning, as several of his Opposition colleagues held a protest march to Vijay Chowk. Kharge further accused ruling party MPs of disrupting House proceedings.
Parliament security breach: MHA asks CISF to conduct survey before taking charge
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to conduct a survey of the Parliament building and its premises for the regular deployment of its security wing and fire wing personnel before taking charge.
After conducting the survey, the CISF will submit its report, take over the security charge from the Delhi Police and start working with Parliament Security Services, a source said.
The decision was taken after the MHA ordered a probe into the December 13 Parliament security breach and an inquiry committee headed by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Director General Anish Dayal Singh found that there were lapses at the security entrance, especially during frisking of visitors. Read the full report.
Parliament Live Updates: Opposition kicks off protest march to Vijay Chowk
A few moments ago, Opposition leaders kicked off a protest march to Vijay Chowk from the Parliament building. They are protesting against the suspension of 143 of their colleagues over the last week. Take a look:
Parliament Live Updates: What are the 3 Criminal Bills, set to be taken up in RS today?
From expanding detention in police custody from the current 15-day limit to up to 90 days, bringing terror, corruption and organised crime under ordinary legislation for the first time to decriminalising homosexuality and adultery, the Lok Sabha Wednesday passed three key Bills – Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023; the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023; and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill, 2023 – to completely overhaul the country’s criminal laws.
Once enacted, these will replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860; The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (originally enacted in 1898); and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. Piloting the Bills, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said these are aimed at indigenising laws originally enacted by the British.
Read more.
Parliament Live Updates: Both Houses reconvene for the day
Both Houses of Parliament have reconvened for the day. In the Rajya Sabha. Question Hour is underway in both Houses. The Opposition benches, meanwhile, remain largely empty.
'Opposition leaders will hold protest march today,' says Congress' K Suresh
Opposition leaders are planning to hold a protest march from Parliament to Vijay Chowk today, Congress' Chief Whip in Lok Sabha K Suresh told news agency ANI.
JUST IN: 2 people from Karnataka detained by Delhi police in connection with Parliament attack
More than a week after the Parliament security breach, two people from Karnataka have been detained by the Delhi police. Stay tuned for more!
Criminal bills passed in LS, tiff over Dhankhar mimicry: What happened in Parliament yesterday
Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed three amended criminal bills in a bid to overhaul the country’s criminal justice system by replacing colonial-era laws. The Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023, and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill, 2023 will replace the the Indian Penal Code (IPC) of 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973 (originally enacted in 1898), and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872, respectively. Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha passed the Central Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Provisional Collection of Taxes Bill, 2023.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke on the criminal bills and majority of MPs present in the Lower House voted in favour of the bills by voice vote. Referring to IPC, CrPc, Indian Evidence Act, Shah said, “New criminal law bills will free people from colonial mindset..The three laws were made during the time of English..Till the laws are not repealed, the UK laws will continue in the country… Her Majesty, London Gazette, British Crown and barrister terms continue to be used in India because of the laws.”
Meanwhile, earlier in the day, two MPs from Kerala namely – Thomas Chazhikadan and AM Arif were suspended from the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, taking the total number of suspensions in both Houses to 143. Jagdeep Dhankar, vice-president said he would not tolerate any insult to Parliament and the post of vice-president while expressing deep anguish over a TMC MP mimicking him in the parliament complex. “You can insult Jagdeep Dhankar all you want but not the Vice President of India,” he said. Dhankhar said that he would not tolerate it if the dignity of his office was lowered. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also called Dhankhar expressing great pain over the “abject theatrics” of some MPs in the Parliament complex yesterday.
Welcome to our live blog!
Good morning and welcome to our live blog! Follow this space for the latest updates from Parliament.
Here's what to look out for today:
?? 3 criminal bills to be taken up in RS
?? Telecommunications Bill 2023 to be taken up in RS
?? The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service, and Term of Office) Bill, 2023 and The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023 to be taken up in LS
?? Opposition to continue its protest