Budget Session: Both Houses Of Parliament Adjourned Till 2 PM, Opposition Stages Dharna Against Amit Shah

The Budget Session of Parliament resumed on a volatile note on Monday. While the Narendra Modi government is looking at the passage of the Union Budget, several Opposition parties including the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress have given notices demanding discussion over the communal violence in North-East Delhi. Going by the resolution passed by its highest decision-making body, the Congress will raise its demand for Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s resignation. The Congress has also submitted a memorandum to President Ram Nath Kovind highlighting Shah’s failure to contain the riots that flared up during US President Donald Trump’s state visit to India.

In the first phase, the Budget Session began on January 31st and continued till February 11. The second phase that resumes today will continue till April 3. AAP’s Rajya Sabha lawmaker Sanjay Singh has given ‘Suspension of Business Notice’ in the Upper House under Rule 267 over North-East Delhi violence. Similar notice has also been given by CPM leader KK Ragesh. Upping the ante, the Congress will also give adjournment notice in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

The Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned on Monday till 2 pm as a mark of respect for a sitting member, who passed away last month. JD(U) member Baidyanath Prasad Mahto, who was elected from Valmiki Nagar in Bihar, died on February 28. He was 72-years-old. As soon as the House convened, Speaker Om Birla expressed condolences over Mahto's death and adjourned the House till 2 pm. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, among others, were present in the House. Proceedings were hampered in the Rajya Sabha over Delhi riots.  

The North-East Delhi’s communal riots is worst the National Capital has witnessed in over four decades. As of now 45 deaths have been confirmed by the officials. Scarred and traumatised, local residents are trying to resume their normal routine. While the Delhi government has repeatedly said that all possible help has been extended to the affected, the ground reality is very different. Role of the Delhi Police is also being questioned.

The Opposition has also slammed the Prime Minister for not acting on time. It took PM Modi 69 hours to react to the situation, several Opposition leaders said after he finally broke the silence and tweeted about Delhi riots.

With opposition leaders sending notices in Parliament demanding discussion on the communal riots in northeast Delhi, Union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Sunday said the priority should be given to the Union Budget as it is a constitutional responsibility. However, the Parliamentary Affairs minister said the Opposition should not politicise the violence and rather deliberate upon how it can be stopped from happening again.

"We are ready for discussion on any issue as per the rules of the house and provided the speaker gives permission for it. "But first we all should ensure the passage of the budget which is constitutional responsibility for all of us," Meghwal told PTI.

(With PTI inputs)