The second day of the Parliament Budget Session was filled with heated debates and protests, as opposition parties demanded a detailed discussion on the doubts surrounding the electoral process and the controversial National Education Policy. The Lok Sabha also discussed the Manipur budget and passed four bills, while the DMK MP Kanimozhi filed a privilege motion against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for his remarks about Tamil Nadu. Government sources have also stated that the Waqf Amendment Bill will be brought for passage later this month. Stay updated on all the action with our LIVE updates.
The Union government has proposed a new bill, the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, in the Lok Sabha with the aim of better controlling India's borders and managing the entry and exit of foreigners. The bill, which will replace four existing laws, has already sparked concerns from critics who fear potential violations of fundamental rights and hindering the inflow of talent to the country. Despite this, the government seems determined to move forward with its plans to establish a Bureau of Immigration.
Artisans from across the state of Maharashtra have gathered in Parel's Bhivajirao Nare Park to protest against the Bombay High Court's ban on the use of Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganesh idols. According to the court, only eco-friendly clay idols should be used for the festival, but the artisans argue that these idols are not strong enough for tall installations, which are a main characteristic and tourist attraction of the festival. They claim that the ban is being influenced by competitors in the clay idol business, and are exploring all options to reverse the ban. The High Court's judgement in January led to the installation of artificial ponds for the visarjan (immersion) of PoP idols in Mumbai.
On the anniversary of the historic Dandi March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to all those who played a crucial role in India's fight for freedom. He emphasized the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi and the unwavering commitment to truth and non-violence displayed by the participants, stating that their legacy continues to inspire generations.
In a heated Lok Sabha session, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan accused the Tamil Nadu government of being dishonest and playing politics with the future of students by backing out of signing an MoU for implementing the new National Education Policy (NEP). This sparked a sharp retort from DMK and other opposition parties, leading to protests and brief adjournment of the House. The BJP also accused the DMK of opposing the NEP out of fear of losing next year's assembly elections.
DMK MPs, led by Kanimozhi, staged a protest in Parliament against the National Education Policy and the three-language formula, accusing the Centre of imposing Hindi on Tamil Nadu. Additionally, they demanded an apology from Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for his alleged derogatory comments towards the people of Tamil Nadu. The DMK argues that linking central funds with the adoption of the NEP and three-language policy puts the future of Tamil Nadu's students at risk.
The Tamil Nadu political scene has been ablaze with the ongoing dispute between the ruling DMK and Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the 3 language policy in the National Education Policy (NEP). The DMK has accused the centre of withholding funds from the state as a punishment for not accepting the policy, while M K Stalin has reprimanded Pradhan for his comment calling DMK MPs "uncivilised". Amidst the heated debate, renowned music maestro Ilaiyaraaja has returned to the state after successfully performing his western classical symphony "Valiant" in London, marking a significant achievement for Indian music on a global platform.
A clash erupted at Jama Masjid in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh after a violent incident involving firecrackers and clashes between two groups. The Imam of the mosque clarified that during Taraweeh prayers, a procession passed by creating noise which led to a Sutli bomb being thrown inside the mosque, causing panic and ultimately resulting in a violent clash. The Imam also questioned how the procession ended up in front of the mosque, sparking tensions between the two groups. Police have already filed an FIR and are investigating the incident.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah plans to introduce the Immigration and Foreigners Bill focusing on passport, visa, and registration requirements for foreigners. The session, lasting until April 4, is expected to see heated debates on issues like alleged manipulation of electoral rolls and the ongoing violence in Manipur. The opposition intends to raise concerns about duplicate Electoral Photo Identity Card numbers, potentially leading to a confrontation.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin took a strong stance against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for insulting Tamil Nadu MPs and the people of the state during a parliamentary session. Stalin questioned Pradhan’s audacity to call Tamil Nadu MPs ‘uncivilised’ and shared a copy of Pradhan’s letter acknowledging Tamil Nadu’s rejection of the National Education Policy and the trilingual policy. The ongoing conflict between Tamil Nadu and the BJP-led Centre over the implementation of the NEP and the trilingual policy has sparked sharp criticism from Stalin, emphasizing the state’s determination to act in favor of its people rather than obeying the diktats of Nagpur.