3 weeks ago
Chidambaram questions FCRA Bill, statehood delay, Home Minister absence
An important Indian leader named P Chidambaram talked to a newspaper about things happening in the country.
He said the government has not yet shown a new law about foreign money called the FCRA Bill.
He also talked about students who protested because exam papers were leaked before the test.
The police used strong methods, like tear gas, to stop their march, and he said that is not okay for a peaceful protest.
He thinks the Home Minister, Amit Shah, should come to Parliament and answer people's questions.
He also said a new law about exams only punishes people after cheating happens, instead of stopping the cheating.
Mr. Chidambaram talked about Jammu and Kashmir, a place that used to be a full state.
Seven years ago, the government changed how it is ruled, and it became a Union Territory.
The government promised to give it statehood back, but that has not happened yet.
He is asking how much longer people have to wait.
P Chidambaram said the FCRA Bill has not been tabled in Parliament and may undergo amendments or not be tabled at all.
He criticized Delhi Police's lathi charge and tear gas against the Cockroach Janta Party's July 20 'Sansad Chalo' march, calling pellet guns unacceptable in civilian protests.
He backed Opposition demands for Union Home Minister Amit Shah to attend Parliament and answer questions after a 10-day absence from both Houses.
He argued the amended Public Examinations Act only punishes offenders after leaks occur, saying it should be called a 'punishment for use of unfair means bill.'
Marking seven years since Article 370's abrogation, he called the August 5, 2019 action 'a constitutional outrage' and questioned why Jammu and Kashmir has not regained statehood despite assurances accepted by the Supreme Court.
- Who
- P Chidambaram, senior Congress leader and ex-Finance Minister, speaking in an interview with The Indian Express; also Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Delhi Police, and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
- What
- Chidambaram commented on the untabled FCRA Bill, police force against the CJP's protest over leaked exam papers, the Home Minister's 10-day absence from Parliament, the amended Public Examinations Act, and the delayed restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
- Where
- India, in and around Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) and Delhi, where the march took place.
- When
- Early August 2026, seven years after the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019; the CJP's 'Sansad Chalo' march was held on July 20.
- Why
- The interview comes amid Opposition criticism over the FCRA Bill, exam-leak protests, the Home Minister's absence from the House, and the Centre's unfulfilled assurance to restore Jammu and Kashmir's statehood.
Opposition view
Government view
Jammu and Kashmir statehood
Opposition view
Statehood was promised by the Centre and should be restored; the security-based justification is contradictory because the government also claims terrorism has largely been reduced, and the Constitution Bench did not rule on whether a state can be converted into a Union Territory.
Government view
Statehood can be restored only when the security situation improves; continued terrorist incidents are cited as the reason for withholding it.
Exam leak protests and police force
Opposition view
The CJP's July 20 'Sansad Chalo' march was a peaceful student protest, and the lathi charge and tear gas were police brutality; pellet guns should be a last resort only, not used in civilian protests.
Government view
Delhi Police responded to the march with a lathi charge and the firing of tear gas, a response the article notes has been criticized as police brutality.
Public Examinations Act amendments
Opposition view
The law does not prevent unfair means; it punishes offenders only after leaks occur, so it should be called a 'punishment for use of unfair means bill.'
Government view
The government amended the Public Examinations Act saying it will curb exam leaks and malpractice.
Key facts
- Interviewee
- P Chidambaram, senior Congress leader and former Finance Minister
- FCRA Bill status
- Not tabled in Parliament; may undergo amendments or may not be tabled at all
- CJP protest response
- Delhi Police used lathi charge and tear gas against the July 20 'Sansad Chalo' march
- Home Minister's attendance
- Absent from Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha for the past 10 days despite being in Parliament
- Public Examinations Act
- Amended by the government to curb exam leaks; Chidambaram calls it post facto punishment
- Article 370 abrogation
- August 5, 2019; seven-year anniversary on August 5, 2026
- Jammu and Kashmir status
- Union Territory; statehood not yet restored despite Centre assurances
- Ladakh status
- Union Territory without an elected Chief Minister
Quotes
P Chidambaram
Former Finance Minister and Congress party leader
“"FCRA Bill has not been tabled. The FCRA Bill may undergo amendments. FCRA Bill may not be tabled at all."”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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