J&K hardliner’s release rocks Houses

In the Lok Sabha, the issue was raised by Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge. Earlier, Congress and Trinamool Congress gave notice for adjournment motion to discuss the issue. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan did not allow the issue to be raised during the Question Hour.

Meanwhile, the government assured Parliament that it will not make any compromise with national security and not allow anyone to play with public safety and security. Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday, told both Houses: “The government is ready to make any sacrifice if needed for unity and integrity of the country. The government has sought further clarifications from J&K government on the release of Hurriyat leader Masarat Alam from jail. The government is not satisfied with the report sent by the Home department of Jammu and Kashmir.” Singh said that the Centre will not hesitate from issuing a strong advisory to the state government, if needed.

“There is no doubt that there are ideological differences between BJP and PDP. We have never had any relationship with the PDP in the past. They have been with us for only 10 days. Whatever influence there is, it must be yours on them. You had been with them in power in the past,” he added.

Earlier, PM Modi told Lok Sabha that there will be no compromise on nation’s security. Intervening on the issue of Hurriyat hardliner Masarat Alam’s release, Prime Minister associated himself with the concerns of the members. “I also lend my voice to the outrage on the release of the separatist... this is not one party’s outrage, it is the nation’s outrage,” said Modi, promising that there will be “no compromise on the integrity of the nation” or public safety and security. The J&K government, PM Modi said, had not consulted the Centre on “its activities post government formation.”

The issue figured prominently in both Houses when they met for the day. The agitating members demanded suspension of the Question Hour in Lok Sabha and also gave the adjournment motion to discuss the issue. In the Rajya Sabha, Anand Sharma, deputy leader of Congress demanded suspension of the business for the day to discuss the matter.

Parliamentary affairs minister M Venkaiah Naidu said that the Jammu and Kashmir state government did not consult the Centre on the hardliner leader’s release and assured the House that the Home Minister will give a statement on the issue. But the Opposition Congress, TMC, NCP and CPI (M) members trooped into the well of the House and raised slogans. In the din, the Speaker adjourned the House till 11.30.