3 weeks ago
Birla Urges Common Ground as Lok Sabha Logjam Continues
In India, the leaders who make laws meet in a big hall called the Lok Sabha.
Lately, leaders from different political groups are very upset with each other, so they shout and hold up signs instead of talking about new laws.
The Speaker, whose name is Om Birla, is the person in charge of keeping the meeting calm.
He was sad because the House was not working properly, so he asked everyone to find common ground.
The government agreed to let the Home Minister, Amit Shah, explain what happened when police acted against students who were protesting about an exam paper leak.
But the opposition also wants to talk about claims that donations for a temple in Ayodhya were not handled properly.
Because the leaders could not agree, the Speaker paused the meeting until 2 pm.
The opposition held a protest at Parliament with signs, and some other leaders also protested outside about police action in Jharkhand.
Everyone hopes the leaders will soon work together so the important issues can be discussed.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla appealed to protesting opposition MPs to let the House function, but his appeal failed to break the deadlock.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm as opposition MPs continued protests over the alleged theft of Ram Temple donations and police excesses against NEET paper leak protesters.
Question Hour lasted less than three minutes on Wednesday, marking the 18th consecutive day of disruption since the Monsoon Session began on July 20.
The government agreed to a response from Home Minister Amit Shah on the July 20 police action against students, while the opposition also demands discussion of alleged Ram Temple donation embezzlement.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joined the opposition protest, while NDA members protested outside Parliament over police action in Jharkhand and questioned Rahul Gandhi's silence.
- Who
- Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla; opposition MPs including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra; Union Home Minister Amit Shah; NDA members
- What
- Speaker Birla appealed for common ground to end disruptions and allow debate on key Bills, but opposition protests continued and the Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm; Question Hour was disrupted for an 18th consecutive day
- Where
- Lok Sabha and Parliament House Complex, New Delhi; related protests at Jantar Mantar and over police action in Jharkhand
- When
- Wednesday, Aug 12, after a similar appeal on Tuesday, Aug 11, during the Monsoon Session that began on July 20
- Why
- The opposition wants answers on police action against NEET paper leak protesters and discussion of alleged Ram Temple donation embezzlement, while the government wants the House to function and pass key Bills
Opposition (INDIA bloc)
Government and NDA
Topics for House debate
Opposition (INDIA bloc)
The opposition insists that, besides a response from Home Minister Amit Shah on police action against NEET paper leak protesters, the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya must also be discussed; Congress calls it a non-negotiable demand.
Government and NDA
The government offered a debate and a response from the Home Minister and says the opposition should not run away from debate and should listen to him without disruptions; Speaker Birla said other issues can be discussed if the House functions without disruption.
Ram Temple donations
Opposition (INDIA bloc)
Congress, Samajwadi Party and Trinamool Congress MPs question who is responsible for the alleged loss of temple donations and want the issue discussed in Parliament.
Government and NDA
The articles do not report a specific government response to the Ram Temple donation allegations beyond the offer of a debate on agreed topics.
Jharkhand police action
Opposition (INDIA bloc)
NDA members protested outside Parliament against police action on protestors in Jharkhand and questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's silence, accusing him of changing goal posts.
Government and NDA
The articles do not report Rahul Gandhi's or the Congress party's response to the NDA criticism.
Key facts
- Speaker
- Om Birla
- House
- Lok Sabha, New Delhi
- Session
- Monsoon Session, began July 20
- Question Hour
- 11 am-12 noon; not completed once since the session began
- Government concession
- Response from Home Minister Amit Shah on police action against NEET protestors
- Opposition demand
- Discussion of alleged Ram Temple donation embezzlement (called non-negotiable by Congress)
- Outcome
- Proceedings adjourned till 2 pm
- Related protest
- NDA members protested outside Parliament over Jharkhand police action
Quotes
Om Birla
Lok Sabha Speaker
“The people of the country also want to see discussions in Parliament.”
theprint.in
“I feel anguished when the House does not function.”
theprint.in
Sources
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