Had there been no Shaheen Bagh, there wouldn't have been any riots: Vijay Goel

New Delhi: Terming Shaheen Bagh "communal", "divisive", BJP Rajya Sabha MP from Rajasthan Vijay Goel Thursday blamed the protests there for the riots in Delhi. While speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Goel said, "Had there been no Shaheen Bagh, there would not have been any riots."

Launching a blistering attack on the central government, Congress leader Kapil Sibal asked Union Home Minister Amit Shah on why FIRs have not been registered against those who delivered hate speeches that allegedly incited communal violence in Delhi. "You can do anything to protect cows, can't you do anything to protect the lives of human beings? Do we need to bring another Article to ensure the protection of human being?" the former union minister asked.

Requesting Parliamentarians to help in spreading awareness about coronavirus, Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan in Lok Sabha said that the government is taking efforts to contain the spread of infection. External Minister S Jaishankar also said that the government is trying to ensure the well-being of Indians stranded in Iran and Iraq. "There are operational constraints in evacuating Indians as the Iranian system is strict. We will do whatever we must do to check the spread of coronavirus," Jaishankar said, adding that 'exceptional circumstances require exceptional measures.'

Earlier in the morning, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said that there was no proposal to adjourn the House over coronavirus. In Rajya Sabha, meanwhile, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu urged citizens and parliamentarians to adhere to guidelines issued by the Health Ministry to prevent the spread of infection. Later in the day, a fiery exchange is likely to take place in Rajya Sabha as the House debates Delhi riots, that killed over 50 people.

(Inputs and image from theindianexpress.com)