After uproar by SP members, UP Assembly adjourned indefinitely

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Lucknow, Dec 19 (IANS) The proceedings of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly were adjourned indefinitely on Thursday following disruptions by Samajwadi Party (SP) members. The uproar arose from a statement made by Home Minister Amit Shah regarding Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution.

Samajwadi Party legislators entered the Assembly carrying a portrait of Dr Ambedkar and raised slogans, causing disruption. Despite repeated appeals from Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana for calm and constructive participation, the SP members persisted in their protest. Amid the chaos, the supplementary budget was passed without discussion, and the House was adjourned indefinitely.

Finance Minister Suresh Khanna criticised the SP members, accusing them of deliberately obstructing the Assembly’s functioning. He said, “They came with the intent to disrupt proceedings and avoid meaningful discussion.” The supplementary budget was passed unanimously, with the Speaker declaring its approval amidst the pandemonium.

The Speaker also addressed the Opposition’s reluctance to discuss the Kumbh Mela, stating, “Kumbh is not on the Opposition’s agenda. They don’t want it to be discussed. But it is my duty to ensure the House debates the supplementary budget.”

Talking about the great importance of the Kumbh Mela, Finance Minister Khanna highlighted its cultural importance. “Over 40 crore people are expected to attend the Kumbh. Such a grand event has no parallel in the world. Avoiding a discussion on it is an insult to our culture and Sanatani values,” he remarked.

In contrast, SP MLA Atul Pradhan staged a protest outside the Assembly, sitting under Dr Ambedkar’s statue in Hazratganj. Pradhan had been expelled from the session on Wednesday following a heated exchange with the Speaker.

Speaking on the issue of Dr Ambedkar’s legacy, Finance Minister Khanna asserted that the BJP had shown the greatest respect for him by establishing Panch Teerth (five sacred places) in his honour. “The Opposition, on the other hand, has disrespected Dr Ambedkar by altering the Preamble of the Constitution he drafted,” he added.

The Assembly Speaker reiterated the need to respect Dr Ambedkar’s contributions while urging the Opposition to focus on key issues like farmers’ welfare. “Everyone respects Baba Saheb. The entire state is watching. I appeal to the Opposition to respect his legacy and engage in meaningful discussions.”

–IANS

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The 20-over cricket match, dubbed the “TB Mukt Bharat Awareness Cricket Match,” aims to raise awareness about tuberculosis (TB) and highlight the importance of public health in India’s journey towards becoming a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.

Speaking to IANS, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari emphasised the significance of the match, stating, “We are trying to give a message to the world about TB. TB is a serious problem and it should be dealt with properly. We are raising awareness through this match.”

Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu added, “We are putting more efforts into the ongoing battle against TB in India. We’ve received a great response, as political leaders from various parties have come together for this cause. Our goal is to eradicate TB by 2025. We need more such initiatives to raise awareness, as we work toward ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047. To achieve this, we must unite to combat diseases and illnesses.”

BJP leader Ravi Kishan called the match historic and stressed the importance of fitness in defeating TB: “We will make the opponent lose. I urge everyone to stop any kind of intoxication. Through this cricket match, we are sending a message to stay fit and beat TB. We will achieve the dream of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047 after defeating diseases like TB.”

AAP leader Raghav Chadha praised the initiative, noting, “It is wonderful that MPs from both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha have come together for such a noble cause. I hope we see more initiatives where political leaders from different parties unite to fight for important causes like this.”

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also spoke about the importance of the event: “A TB-free India is our resolution. We’ve organised this cricket match to raise awareness about TB. Through this match between MPs, we aim to tackle this serious illness with the power of sports. To serve the nation, we need to be both mentally and physically fit. Sports has always been a passion for me, and this is an opportunity to contribute to our mission of making India a developed nation by 2047.”

The match, which began at 9 a.m. on December 15, saw Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur captain the Lok Sabha Speaker XI team, while Kiren Rijiju led the Rajya Sabha Chairman XI team.

–IANS

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Cop killed as patrol vehicle overturns in pond in Bihar’s Darbhanga

Patna, Dec 17 (IANS) A police personnel was killed while two others were seriously injured when a Dial 112 police patrol vehicle overturned in a pond in the Simri Bazar police station area in Bihar’s Darbhanga district in the early hours of Tuesday.

The incident occurred at 12.30 a.m. when the police vehicle, returning from Sadhwara to Simri Bazar after patrolling, overturned into a pond while avoiding hitting a dog on the road.

The cop, identified as Shekhar Paswan (59), succumbed to his injuries in Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) while driver GK Jha, and constable Archana Kumari, were currently undergoing treatment.

Paswan was a resident of Raghepura village in the Bahadurpur police station area.

Senior police officers visited the accident site and inquired about the circumstances leading to the accident.

Jha said that he lost control over the vehicle while avoiding hitting a dog.

Jha said that while trying to save the dog, the patrolling vehicle overturned in a pond next to the road.

“After the incident, we pulled out Archana Kumari and Shekhar Paswan,” Jha said.

Paswan was rushed to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Senior officers, including the City SP, rushed to DMCH and the accident site to investigate the matter.

Simri Police Station in-charge Manish Kumar confirmed that the accident occurred while avoiding the dog and attributed the chaos at the site to dense fog and nighttime visibility issues.

“Jha and Archana Kumari are receiving treatment at DMCH. We have sent Paswan’s body for post-mortem. The family members of the deceased were informed about the tragic accident,” Kumar said.

–IANS

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SC lawyer petitions for action against LoP Rahul Gandhi, seeks expulsion

New Delhi, Dec 20 (IANS) A lawyer of the Supreme Court on Friday lodged a formal complaint against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for alleged “criminal acts of physical assault and incitement” against BJP MPs within the premises of Parliament.

In a petition addressed to Lok Sabha Speaker, the complainant said that on Thursday, when Members of Parliament belonging to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) were peacefully demonstrating at the Makar Dwar entrance of Parliament against the blatant misinformation being propagated by Opposition parties, particularly led by the Indian National Congress, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition (LoP), “physically harmed” NDA Members of Parliament.

“At approximately 10:40 AM to 10:45 AM, Mr. Rahul Gandhi arrived at the scene. Despite requests from Parliament security to take the designated entry path, Mr. Gandhi, with malicious intent to disrupt the protest and physically harm NDA Members of Parliament, ignored the instructions and forcefully approached the peaceful demonstrators,” stated the complaint filed by advocate Vineet Jindal.

It added that not only did Rahul Gandhi and others violate the instructions of security personnel, but he also instigated other INDIA bloc members to act with force and aggression toward NDA MPs, jeopardising their safety.

“They (INDIA alliance MPs) intentionally used physical force to push Members of Parliament Mukesh Rajput and Pratap Rao Sarangi, who were standing on the narrow stairs at the entrance. As a result of these actions, Mukesh Rajput sustained a severe injury to the back of his head, while Pratap Rao Sarangi suffered a forehead injury,” further said the complainant.

He added that the assault committed by LoP Gandhi and his supporters demonstrates dishonour and disregard for the rules of conduct and parliamentary etiquette.

Had Rahul Gandhi committed this act outside Parliament, criminal charges under Sections 109, 115, 117, 125, 131, 351, and 3(5) of the BNS Act would have been initiated, and an FIR would have been registered against him, said the complaint, adding that he has misused the privileges provided to Members of Parliament during the Lok Sabha session to shield himself from criminal action.

Further, it said that the Speaker of the Lok Sabha has the authority to punish members for their misconduct inside or outside the House and by engaging in violent acts, he has committed a breach of privilege.

As per the Rules of Conduct and Parliamentary Etiquette, in cases of extreme misconduct, if an MP’s behaviour is found derogatory to the dignity of the House and its members, and inconsistent with the standards expected, the House may expel the member.

The complainant pleaded to initiate immediate action against Rahul Gandhi and others who were involved for breach of privilege, contempt of the House, and physical assault and incitement and consider suspending or expelling Gandhi and others from the Lok Sabha in accordance with the rules.

–IANS

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