FCRA row, deadlock over Amit Shah statement: Only 2 days left for Monsoon Session
With only two working days remaining in Parliament's Monsoon Session, the standoff over the FCRA Bill and the Opposition's demand for a statement from Home
With only two working days remaining in Parliament's Monsoon Session, the standoff over the FCRA Bill and the Opposition's demand for a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah over the police action during the Jantar Mantar student protests continue to overshadow legislative business. The final day of the session is usually adjourned indefinitely around noon, leaving effectively only one full working day for substantive legislative business. The session has been marked by repeated disruptions, even as the government managed to pass several key bills. Read Full Story The quality of parliamentary debate has also come under scrutiny. Apart from the government's anti-paper leak legislation, little major legislation saw sustained discussion as Opposition protests repeatedly stalled proceedings. In the Lok Sabha, proceedings on most days began at 11 am but were adjourned within an hour amid sloganeering and protests. Even after the House reconvened, disruptions often continued, with proceedings sometimes being adjourned for the day. FCRA BILL REMAINS CAUGHT IN DEADLOCK The FCRA Bill emerged as one of the key flashpoints of the session.
After objections were raised by some groups, Amit Shah held consultations inside Parliament with representatives associated with the Christian community. Shah said the government would move ahead only after hearing all stakeholders. However, the Opposition's concerns remained unresolved. The issue returned to the Rajya Sabha Business Advisory Committee meeting with only two working days left. Congress and Trinamool Congress MPs demanded that the FCRA Bill be withdrawn, while some Opposition members suggested sending it to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). Government sources said the Centre is considering referring the bill to a JPC, though uncertainty over its legislative fate remains. AMIT SHAH'S STATEMENT REMAINS ANOTHER STICKING POINT The Opposition's confrontation with the government intensified after BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as the Education Minister in the first week of the session amid protests over the alleged lathi-charge on students. Opposition parties had been demanding action over the issue, with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi later alleging that the police action against students was carried out at Shah's behest.
The government has repeatedly and categorically rejected the allegation. After Pradhan's resignation, the focus shifted to Shah, with the Opposition seeking his statement in Parliament. Amid the continuing deadlock, the government offered to facilitate a statement by Shah as well as a detailed discussion on the student movement. The Opposition, however, remained unconvinced, and disruptions continued. Government sources said efforts would be made during the remaining days to ensure a comprehensive debate on the student issue, allowing Opposition leaders, ruling party MPs and Shah to put forward their positions. DELIMITATION PUSH ALSO HITS ROADBLOCK Delimitation emerged as another major issue during the session, with the government pushing to revive the Delimitation Bill. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju held three rounds of talks with Rahul Gandhi on the matter. Gandhi insisted that the government first convene an all-party meeting. Rijiju, however, maintained that if the Congress was willing to support the bill, the government could immediately call such a meeting.
The BriefWire