Modi ‘silence’ hardens Oppn resolve
23 Dec 2014 12:10 AM GMT
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi continuing to prefer ‘silence’ over the conversion row, a united opposition once again vociferously protested in both Houses of Parliament forcing adjournment against the government failure to act.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned as the Rashtriya Janata Dal’s MP Pappu Yadav threw a paper at Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai, who was in the chair. The incident happened when the House reassembled at 3 pm after repeated disruptions in the morning session, with the Congress along with others accusing the government in promoting conversions in the country.
“I didn’t throw papers at the Deputy Speaker, if I had would then apologise, but I didn’t. Democracy is in danger, just look at what VHP and Bajrang Dal are doing,” Yadav said.
Meanwhile in Rajya Sabha, Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien along with leaders of ‘Janata Parivar’ and Left demanded that PM should clarify on ‘Ghar Wapsi’ orchestrated by ‘Hindu leaders’ and the government U-turn on black money.While criticizing PM Modi, Derek said, “You don’t need a 56-inch chest to come here, you just need a four-inch heart to come here to speak.”
On a day when Opposition groups closed ranks, the treasury benches in both the houses were seen cornered when asked why they had failed to take action against those involved in ‘Ghar Wapsi’ and their promises of bringing back black money within 100 days of coming to power. The opposition alleged that government was deviating from its path and showing more interest on issues related to religious and conversions instead of fulfilling several promises they made before coming to power.
This was second time when the opposition leaders demanded a statement from the PM in Rajya Sabha, where the government is in minority.
Though, Modi has reportedly expressed his annoyance over party leaders for indulging in the conversion campaign, he has not made any official statement so far. Speaking to media persons outside Parliament, Union
Minister Venkaiah Naidu said, “Ghar Wapasi is not a government agenda. Maybe some Hindu organisation is doing it. Our agenda is development.”
Naidu, reacted after Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge alleged in the LS that the “Govt is indirectly supporting Ghar Wapasi.” SP leader, Ramgopal Yadav said in Rajya Sabha the government made so many promises but did not fulfill any. “Over 5 crore are unemployed in the country. You did not create any job. Many parties are today sitting on a dharna and we have given a notice under Article 266 after suspension of all business to discuss this,”Both Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M) and BSP chief Mayawati separately condemned RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s statement on conversion issue.
Bhagwat recently had made a statement that India was a Hindu nation where many Hindus had been forcibly converted to other religions. “We will bring back those who have lost their way,” he had said. On Tuesday, Parliament’s winter session is going end and the government has not been able to push through important economic sector reforms due to repeated disruption over several issues in recent weeks.
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