Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Wednesday invoked in the Lok Sabha former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru hearing out in the same House 165 MPs on the India-China war of 1962, and demanded a discussion on the latest border face-offs.
Speaker Om Birla disallowed the plea, leading to a walkout by the Opposition.
“We have been demanding a discussion on the India-China border situation. In 1962, when the India-China war took place, Jawaharlal Nehru, in this House, had given 165 MPs the chance to speak, and a decision was taken on what to do only after that,” Adhir, the Congress’s Lok Sabha leader, said as the post-noon session started.
“Business advisory committee mein tay hoga (It will be decided in the business advisory committee),” the Speaker replied promptly, stopping Adhir from speaking further.
This prompted the Congress and some other party MPs, led by Adhir and Sonia Gandhi, to stage a walkout from the Lok Sabha. After this, Trinamul’s House leader Sudip Bandopadhyay, too, stood up to stress the need for a discussion on the India-China border standoff and walked out along with other party MPs.
The clash between the Indian and Chinese troops at the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang last Friday continued to rock Parliament for the second day with the Opposition pressing for a discussion on the matter and the ruling side firmly rejecting it, citing the sensitivity of the issue.
In the Rajya Sabha, the Opposition briefly boycotted the proceedings after their demand for a detailed discussion on the Chinese aggression was rejected. Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge said defence minister Rajnath Singh’s statement on Tuesday did not address the concerns of the parties on various issues like construction activities by China on the border.
“We want full information about the actual situation there. We are for the country. Bridges have been constructed in the vacant spaces there. We demand a detailed discussion,” Congress president Kharge said. Deputy chairman Harivansh rejected the demand.
“There is no notice today (for discussion). I cannot do anything,” Harivansh said.
On Tuesday, he had struck down a call for a discussion, stressing the “sensitivity of the issue”. He had said there had been precedents of the Upper House not taking up discussions on several important issues like the fatal Maoist attack on JMM MP Sunil Mahto in March 2007, the serial blasts in Uttar Pradesh in November 2007, the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in March 2009 and the Sri Lanka situation in February 2009.
The Opposition members stood up to protest and later staged a walkout during Zero Hour.
Addressing the media outside the House, Opposition leaders said 17 parties were unitedly demanding a discussion on the Chinese incursions.
They countered the “sensitive issue” excuse by recalling how Nehru had allowed a discussion on the 1962 India-China war. “There should not be cherry-picking when it comes to citing precedents. Jawaharlal Nehru answered all questions related to the India-China conflict in 1962,” RJD parliamentarian Manoj Jha told reporters.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said: “We just want a discussion. Even during the war with China in 1962, Nehruji got Parliament to function. He was ready to listen to everyone…. These things should happen in a democracy.” “We should not forget that our country needs parliamentary accountability. Even on issues of national security, there are certain things that are confidential, but there are policy issues, too, which can be discussed,” he added, urging the government to hold a discussion.
Stan Swamy
The claim that evidence was planted on Jesuit priest and Elgaar Parishad accused Stan Swamy’s computer was raised in the Lok Sabha during Question Hour.
Referring to Boston-based firm Arsenal Consulting’s report on Swamy who died in custody last year, Congress MP Anto Antony submitted an adjournment motion to discuss the matter but was disallowed. An Opposition member was seen holding a printout saying “Justice for Stan Swamy”.
