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This is an archive article published on December 20, 2024
Today in Politics: All eyes on Parliament as curtains fall on ‘explosive’ Winter Session
The last day of the session comes in the backdrop of ruling and Opposition MPs clashing over Amit Shah’s “insulting” remarks on Dr B R Ambedkar
New Delhi: LoP in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi during a protest by INDIA Bloc as well as NDA members, at Parliament complex, in New Delhi, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. The INDIA bloc demanded the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah for his remarks related to B R Ambedkar while NDA demanded an apology from the opposition Congress for allegedly insulting Ambedkar. (PTI Photo)
Friday will be the last day of the Winter Session of Parliament, which has seen a spate of disruptions.
The session, which began on November 15, saw Opposition MPs protesting while calling for discussions in both Houses over the Adani issue. The deadlock seemed to be resolved after it was decided that a debate on the Constitution would be held in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
However, tensions erupted after the Opposition began protests against Union Minister Amit Shah, who they claim insulted Dr B R Ambedkar during his speech in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.
Wednesday saw massive protests from both sides with the Treasury benches claiming the Congress had circulated a clipped version of Shah’s remarks. As both protesting camps clashed on the Parliament premises, the BJP claimed that two of its MPs – Pratap Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput – were allegedly pushed by Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and sustained injuries. Both MPs are undergoing treatment at the RML Hospital.
As the House was adjourned on Wednesday, Gandhi addressed a press conference and demanded Shah’s resignation. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, who also claimed he was injured in the melee, said: “First, he should probe the facts before making such statements. Then he can insult Nehru ji and Ambedkar. What he said about Nehru and Ambedkar is all lies. If I got a chance in Parliament, I would have spoken,” Kharge asserted.
Kharge alleged that BJP’s attempts to divert attention from the Adani issue were deliberate. “Everyday, we have not been disturbing the House. We protested outside for 14 days to highlight the loot by Adani. Our attack was on that,” he said, linking the renewed confrontation in Parliament to attempts to suppress the opposition’s demand for accountability.
Misri to begin 3-day Mauritius trip
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri will embark on a three-day trip to Mauritius beginning Friday in what would be the first high-level engagement between the two sides after formation of the new government in the island nation.
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Misri’s visit is reflective of the priority India attaches to its relation with Mauritius, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday, announcing the trip.
“Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri will be on an official visit to Mauritius from December 20-22. “The visit marks the first high-level bilateral engagement between India and Mauritius after the formation of the new government in Mauritius led by Navinchandra Ramgoolam, PM of Mauritius,” it said.
“The visit is a continuation of the regular high level exchanges between the two countries and reflects the priority India attaches to its relation with Mauritius under its Vision SAGAR, Africa Forward policy and commitment to Global South,” the MEA said in a statement.
– With PTI inputs
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