The Lok Sabha was adjourned amidst chaos as opposition MPs staged protests against BJP MP Anurag Thakur for his remarks on caste made during a debate on the Union Budget. Despite assurances, his remarks were not expunged from the parliamentary record, leading to a breach of privilege notice being filed against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The protests continued as Congress MPs stormed the Well of the House and raised slogans against Mr. Thakur and the ruling party.
Anurag Thakur's Controversial Remarks and the Ensuing Parliamentary Chaos
Background:
On February 11, 2023, during a debate on the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Anurag Thakur made derogatory remarks related to caste. The opposition parties, led by the Congress, raised objections and demanded that his comments be expunged from the parliamentary record.
The Controversy:
Thakur's remarks were considered offensive and insensitive by the opposition MPs. They alleged that he had made derogatory comments against the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Thakur defended himself, claiming that he had not made any such remarks.
Parliamentary Proceedings:
Despite assurances from the Speaker, Om Birla, that Thakur's remarks would be expunged from the record, the protests continued. Congress MPs stormed the Well of the House and raised slogans against Thakur and the ruling party. The chaotic situation led to the adjournment of the Lok Sabha.
Consequences:
The opposition parties filed a breach of privilege notice against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of protecting Thakur and condoning his behavior. The matter is now under investigation by the Parliament's Privileges and Ethics Committee.
FAQs:
Thakur's exact words are disputed, but the opposition alleges that he made derogatory comments about Dalits and Adivasis. Thakur denies making such remarks.
The opposition viewed Thakur's remarks as an insult to marginalized communities and a violation of their constitutional rights. They accused the BJP of promoting casteism and discrimination.
Despite the Speaker's assurances, the parliamentary record shows that Thakur's remarks were not expunged. The opposition claims that this was done deliberately to protect Thakur and the ruling party.
The notice alleges that Modi failed to stop Thakur from making the offensive remarks and therefore condoned his behavior. The Privileges and Ethics Committee will investigate the matter and make recommendations to the Lok Sabha.
The Privileges and Ethics Committee is expected to conduct a thorough investigation and submit its findings to the Lok Sabha. The committee could recommend any appropriate action, including a formal censure or suspension of Thakur or even Prime Minister Modi.
After communal violence erupted in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich district during a Durga Puja immersion procession, local authorities have been taking steps to restore peace and normalcy. Internet services have been restored and police are urging residents to prioritize communal harmony and ignore false information spread through social media. A recent wolf pack sighting has also caused panic among locals in the area.
The National Conference (NC) leader, Omar Abdullah, took oath as the first Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Along with five other ministers, the NC government made efforts to ensure equal representation from both Jammu and Kashmir provinces. In his first address, Omar made it clear that his government will work towards bridging the gap between people and the administration, and prioritizing balanced political representation. Despite facing criticism for not including the Congress in the government, senior Congress leaders and other political leaders attended the swearing-in ceremony, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi guaranteed his support and cooperation for the progress of Jammu and Kashmir under Omar's leadership.
Former Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda held a press conference on the auspicious occasion of Maharshi Valmiki Jayanti, calling for CM Siddaramaiah's resignation due to the Tribal Board scam. He presented evidence of the wrongdoing through a bail order issued by the judiciary. The ED charge sheet also mentions the alleged misuse of funds from the Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation for Lok Sabha elections. Meanwhile, Gowda criticized the Congress government's move to name all residential schools after Valmiki, stating that it is not enough and their intention should be to uplift the community.
Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, has announced that the government will ensure a smooth pilgrimage experience for devotees at Sabarimala Temple. This comes after it was revealed that the daily virtual queue bookings have been reduced from 80,000 to 70,000. The government will also hold further discussions to determine the fate of the omitted virtual booking slots before the upcoming pilgrimage season. Valid identification will be required for those without a virtual queue booking.
Senior National Assembly leader Nasir Aslam Wani was officially appointed as an advisor to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday. This appointment was finalized by an order issued by the J-K General Administration Department and comes as Omar Abdullah was sworn as the first Chief Minister of the newly formed Union Territory. The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) and Congress alliance won the Assembly elections, with Omar Abdullah leading the government once again.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi marked Valmiki Jayanti by offering prayers at the Valmiki Temple, and later meeting representatives of the Valmiki community at his mother's residence. He shared his experience on social media and praised Maharishi Valmiki, whose teachings of truth, justice, and compassion continue to inspire people today. The festival, observed annually on the full moon day of Ashwin, pays tribute to the revered poet and author of the Hindu epic, the Ramayana.
In a historical development, the Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar visited Pakistan to attend the SCO Summit 2024. This marked the first visit by an Indian EAM to Pakistan in nearly a decade, highlighting the importance of regional cooperation and dialogue. During his visit, Jaishankar addressed critical issues, including the fight against terrorism and extremism, while urging member states to adopt a firm stance against these issues. He also expressed gratitude to the Pakistani government for their hospitality, emphasizing the significance of dialogue in promoting regional cooperation. This visit could potentially open up avenues for future collaborations and improved relations between the two countries.
In a communication to the Union government, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Chandrachud formally proposed Justice Sanjiv Khanna, the second-most senior judge of the Supreme Court, as his successor. Upon approval by the government, Justice Khanna will become the 51st Chief Justice of India, serving a six-month tenure before his retirement in 2025. This follows the convention where the retiring CJI nominates the second-most senior judge as their successor, which is then approved by the government.
Former Karnataka Minister B. Nagendra has been granted conditional bail by the Special Court for MLAs/MPs in Bengaluru after being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Valmiki Tribal Welfare Board scam case. Nagendra has alleged that the ED harassed him during his three-month custody, and claims that the BJP is behind the conspiracy to destabilise elected governments. He also denies any involvement in the scam and maintains that the SIT found no evidence against him. Despite the delay in completing technical formalities, Nagendra has been released from the Bengaluru Central Prison and vows to ensure BJP's defeat in the upcoming Assembly bypolls.
The Travancore Devaswom Board has selected S Arunkumar Namboothiri and Vasudevan Namboothiri as the new chief priests of Sabarimala and Malikappuram temples, respectively. The selection was made through a draw of lots from a panel of 24 shortlisted priests. Rishikesh Varma and M Vaishnavi of the Pandalam royal family oversaw the selection process in the presence of various officials. Don't miss out on the latest news on the go with Manorama Online App. © Copyright 2024 Onmanorama, All Rights Reserved.