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Congress outraged over order barring members from holding Dharnas in Parliament, social media users dig out identical order issued during UPA era

OpIndia Staff
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Congress outraged over order barring members from holding Dharnas in Parliament, social media users dig out identical order issued during UPA era

Congress leaders took to Twitter on Friday (July 15) to mock the BJP government for issuing an order that barred members of the parliament from using the precincts of the House to hold protests, demonstrations, Dharna, fast, strikes or performing any kind of religious ceremony.

Some social media users were, however, quick to put the Congress leaders back in place by sharing a similar directive that the UPA administration had issued, when it was in power in 2009, 2013 and 2014.

On July 14, Rajya Sabha Secretary General PC Mody issued a news bulletin ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament beginning July 18, stating “Members cannot use the precincts of the Parliament House for any demonstration, dharna, strike, fast, or for the purpose of performing any religious ceremony. Kind cooperation was Members is solicited”.

Sharing a copy of the order issued by PC Mody, the Congress general secretary and chief whip of the party in Rajya Sabha Jairam Ramesh took a dig at PM Narendra Modi. He Tweeted, “Vishguru’s latest salvo — D(h)arna Mana Hai!.”

Congress leader Jaiveer Shergill called the order ‘Dark day for Democracy’. Taking to Twitter, he said that this is an official stamp on the BJP government’s mission to transform democracy into a dictatorship where only heads should nod and slogans should not be raised. He called the new order an attack on the ethos of Parliament. BJP wants to transform the “Temple of Democracy” into “Durbar of Sycophancy”, he said.

However, many social media users dug out a copy of an identical directive the UPA government had issued when it was at the helm of affairs in the years 2009, 2013 and in 2014.

“Same circular is being issued by Parliament since 2009. Can you @Jairam_Ramesh name the party in power in 2009 which banned Dharna in Parliament?” Tweeted popular Twitter user Ankur Singh.

ABP News journalist Vikas Bhaduria Tweeted while sharing a copy of the 2009 order issued by the Congress themselves, “according to the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the order to stop the protest and any other demonstration is a routine process, the Lok Sabha Secretariat continues to issue such orders from time to time, a similar order was issued in 2009. Copy of that order.”

“Seriously Ramesh …. ???” Tweeted another popular social media user Rishi Bagri.

Jeering the Congress party, Twitter user Sunilkumar said that the BJP government has reissued the old circular since they know it would keep Congress occupied with outrage while they take advantage of the opportunity to form their government in a new state.

Meanwhile, Twitter user @skraivns shared the screenshot of the copy of an identical order issued in the year 2013, when again Congress was at the helm.

A close look at the circular issued by the BJP government yesterday and the ones that were issued by the UPA government in 2009, 2013 and also on 2014, makes it sufficiently clear that they are absolutely identical. In fact, every single word mentioned in the circulars are exactly the same. All these circulars read, “Members cannot use the precincts of the Parliament House for any demonstration, dharna, strike, fast, or for the purpose of performing any religious ceremony.”

The screengrab of circulars with identical content issued by BJP in 2022 and Congress in years 2009, 2013 and 2014

Meanwhile, regarding the aforementioned circular over protests at Parliament premises, Lok Sabha Secretariat clarified that such a process is a routine one, and guidelines are issued before every session of the Parliament, news agency ANI reported.

Congress spreads lies that the Modi govt has ‘banned’ certain words in the Parliament

Notably, prior to this, Congress senior leader Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders had also resorted to spreading lies that the Modi government has ‘banned’ the use of certain words in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla had clarified that no word has been banned from use in parliament. He added that members are free to express their views using any word while maintaining the decorum of the House.

Om Birla clarified that the booklet only contains a compilation of words which have already been expunged from parliament or assembly records earlier. “It’s a routine practice continuing since 1959,” he said, adding that if the opposition reads the 1100-page dictionary of unparliamentary words, they would have known that it is released regularly.

“No words have been banned”, he made it clear, adding that no one can snatch the rights of the members of legislative houses to express their views, but it should be as per decorum of the parliament. He denied allegations by the opposition that it is a gag order, saying people unaware of parliamentary practices are making all kinds of comments. He also added that the legislatures are independent of the government.

Shinde-Fadnavis-led Maharashtra govt overturns 4 decisions taken by Uddhav Thackeray, including not letting farmers vote in APMC markets: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Shinde-Fadnavis-led Maharashtra govt overturns 4 decisions taken by Uddhav Thackeray, including not letting farmers vote in APMC markets: Details

Four policy decisions made by the Devendra Fadnavis-led BJP administration during its term from 2015 to 2019 but then revoked by the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government will be brought back by the Eknath Shinde and Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition government in Maharashtra.

Amongst these decisions are the resumption of pension benefits to those imprisoned during the Emergency and the direct election of village chiefs and municipal council presidents. Farmers’ voting rights in APMC markets have also been restored.

Presidents of Nagar Panchayats, Nagar Parishads, and Sarpanchs of Gram Panchayats in Maharashtra will now be directly elected, the Eknath Shinde-led government declared on Thursday. Senior government officials, including Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, presided over the cabinet meeting where the decision was made.

In addition, the cabinet resolved to grant farmers voting rights in order to elect members of Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs). Members of the Farm Produce Market Committee are currently elected by members of village panchayats, agriculture credit societies, and multi-purpose cooperative societies under the Maharashtra Agriculture Produce and Marketing (Development and Regulation) Act 1963.

The BJP state government amended the legislation in August 2017 to provide farmers with the opportunity to elect members; nonetheless, the MVA government reversed the decision in January 2020. But from now, farmers with 0.25 acres (1,000 square metres) of land who have sold their produce in the APMC market at least three times in the past five years are eligible to vote.

Both of these measures were taken by the Fadnavis-led BJP-Shiv Sena administration during its tenure (2014-19) but were overturned by the MVA once it came to power in 2019. After regaining power, the BJP-Shinde government has now reversed the MVA’s decisions.

Noida police take cognisance of grooming jihad case where Murad posed as Sameer to target Hindu woman, forced to convert and sent goons to attack her

OpIndia Staff
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Noida police take cognisance of grooming jihad case where Murad posed as Sameer to target Hindu woman, forced to convert and sent goons to attack her

The Noida police have taken cognisance of the grooming jihad case reported in Faridabad and Noida where a man named Murad Ali masqueraded as Sameer to lure a Hindu woman and later tortured her. Swarajya journalist Swati Goel Sharma, who had on Friday shared the details of the case in a thread of Tweets took to Twitter to share the latest development in the case.

“Glad to share that officers in @noidapolice have taken note of this thread and got in touch with me and the complainant. They have called her today. Thanks to all for amplifying it. Will keep you updated,” the journalist Tweeted on Friday (July 15).

On July 14, Swati had reported that a man named Murad Ali masqueraded as Sameer to lure a Hindu woman and later subjected her to mental and physical harassment, apart from forcing her to convert to Islam. He married her in a temple as per Hindu customs in December 2021. However, after his identity was revealed, he started pressurising her to convert to Islam. The accused, on multiple occasions, physically assaulted her and got her beaten up by goons when she refused to succumb to his demands. The victim approached the police in Faridabad and Noida but alleged that no action had been taken in her case so far.

The victim had filed a complaint with the Haryana police but since the Haryana government has not yet enacted any law against love jihad, the police had registered a case under IPC sections 376 (rape) and 313 (causing miscarriage without woman’s consent).

The victim alleged that the police instead of helping her, mocked her by asking how she did not notice the circumcision, to which the victim replied that she was not aware of such things.

As police delayed the arrest, Murad Ali went absconding and managed to take a stay order on arrest in May. The same month, the victim filed another case in Faridabad against Murad Ali’s family. She alleged that the family assaulted her for the police case she had previously filed against Murad. In the second case, some of Murad’s family members were arrested but granted bail shortly after the arrest.

Swati Goel Sharma added that the victim gave a complaint to a local police station in Noida, but they did not convert the complaint into an FIR. Murad Ali has not been arrested yet.

Sharing a video posted by her on June 14, wherein the victim is heard narrating her horrifying story, the Swarajya journalist Swati Goel Sharma said that she herself tried meeting two senior officers through references but none showed interest in the victim’s case.

“In taking up the case. I offered the victim monetary help to change her location, but she says it’s of no use because “Murad will find out”. End of the thread. It’s up to the police and govt now to show they take the safety of women seriously,” the journalist wrote while ending the thread.

Delhi’s Patiala House Court grants bail to Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair in the FIR over derogatory Tweet against Hindus

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi’s Patiala House Court grants bail to Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair in the FIR over derogatory Tweet against Hindus

The Patiala House Court in Delhi has granted bail to Alt News Co-Founder and serial fake news peddler Mohammed Zubair in the Delhi FIR stemming from a tweet he wrote in 2018. He has been asked to furnish a surety of Rs 50,000.

On July 14, Patiala House Court Additional Sessions Judge Devender Kumar Jangala stated that the orders on Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair’s bail petition will be announced on Friday.

Zubair sought bail from the court after the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate rejected his plea on July 2 and sentenced him to 14 days in judicial prison. He was charged by the Delhi Police for violating the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act of 2010 and inciting animosity amongst religious groups through his tweets (FCRA). On June 17, Delhi Police arrested Zubair.

Zubair had addressed the court through his lawyer, Vrinda Grover, to seek bail in the FIR filed by the Delhi Police. During the hearing, Advocate Grover claimed that there was nothing incorrect with Zubair’s tweet because it was a clip from the 1983 Hindu film ‘Kisi Se Na Kehna.’ In opposition to her argument, Special Public Prosecutor Atul Srivastava stated that Zubair’s post from 2018 still remains, and the ramifications and impacts of the tweet have persisted.

Zubair was detained initially under Sections 153A and 295 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). More Sections, including 295A, 201, and 120B of the IPC, as well as Section 35 of the FCRA Act, were invoked against him as the case proceeded.

Several other cases have been filed against Zubair in Uttar Pradesh’s various districts. He petitioned the Supreme Court on Thursday, demanding that six FIRs registered against him in Uttar Pradesh be annulled. The FIRs registered in Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur, Muzaffarnagar, Ghaziabad, and two in Hathras are challenged in his petition.

Yesterday, a court in UP’s Hathras ordered Zubair to remain under judicial custody for 14 days. He is yet to get bail in that case, so it is unlikely that he will be freed as of now.

The appeal also questions the Uttar Pradesh Police’s constitution of an SIT to investigate all cases against him. The Uttar Pradesh government has constituted a two-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into six complaints filed against Mohammad Zubair.

Rajasthan: Parents in Kota protest against a school for weaning children away from the Hindu culture, teaching them to call parents ‘Ammi-Abbu’

OpIndia Staff
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Rajasthan: Parents in Kota protest against a school for weaning children away from the Hindu culture, teaching them to call parents ‘Ammi-Abbu’

A private school in Rajasthan’s Kota is embroiled in a row over a textbook used to tutor Class 2 students. The book contains Urdu terms and names.
According to reports, the book is being read by the majority of non-Muslim pupils. The students in the second standard are taught, through this book called Gulmohar, to call their parents Ammi and Abbu. The 113-page book costs Rs 352.

The ‘Gulmohar Book’ given to second-class children at Shiv Jyoti Convent School in Kota city has many words that have angered parents. The family members alleged that the children have started asking for Biryani after reading this book and non-Muslim children have also started calling their parents Ammi and Abbu.

Parents have reported that their children, who attend a private English medium school, have begun to use phrases like Abbu and Ammi to refer to them at home, and have also begun to want Biryani to eat. Gulmohar is a book published by a Hyderabad-based publisher. Parents raised concerns about the book to local Bajrang Dal activists, who filed a formal complaint to the education department. The book is viewed as an attempt to Islamize the classroom curriculum.

In the Gulmohar book, children are taught to call their mother Ammi. Image Source: Times Now Navbharat

Parents of the pupils attending this school said, “How can these things be taught to our children in the schools? We don’t know how Biryani is made and the school asks kids to have Biryani once a week and bring it to schools in their tiffins. What kind of school is this? What are they teaching to our kids? And what good they are doing for our kids by giving such education?”

“We are poor people, earning our livelihood by working hard. We enrolled our kids in the school with the hope that they will learn something better. But what these schools are teaching them? If we wish, we can shut your schools forever. But right now we don’t intend to do anything like that. Our kids tell us that they are told in school to call their mother Ammi and father Abbu. And kids continue to like what they are taught. Then why not teach them in our language? Teach them in our language. Tell them that mother means Maa and father means Baba. Why are you teaching them that mother means Ammi and father means Abbu?” they further said.

Another woman said about the curriculum, “See they are teaching the kids to call their parents Ammi and Abbu. Is this our culture? Should the kids be taught like this? What will be the fate of our culture if the kids are taught like this? Schools are meant to inculcate good values and culture into the kids. And this school is teaching the kids to call their parents Ammi-Abbu. Are we paying our hard-earned money for this? Now, see this book. They are asking kids to make Biryani at home once a week and bring it to school. Can we make Biryani? Should this be taught to the kids?”

There are many non-Hindu characters in the book. Image Source: Times Now Navbharat

Another male parent said, “This Gulmohar book is being taught in a reputed convent school. The language is being changed in the name of educating the kids. Had it been some community school of particular religion or faith, or some school that gives religious education, then there would not be any objection. But the kind of language being taught here in the name of a convent school, it is clear that they are trying to take the children away from their Hindu culture.”

Many characters in the book are non-Hindus. The first chapter in this book is titled “Too Big! Too Small!”. In this chapter, the kids are taught to speak mother as a new word. The meaning of mother is given as Ammi and that of a father is given as Abbu. Another chapter in this book is titled as “Grandpa Farouk’s Garden”. Yogesh Renwal, the state co-convener of the Bajrang Dal, said that he has been receiving calls from many parents about the book being taught in this school and they are complaining about the excessive use of words related to other religions.

The incident occurred during a period when there is a major controversy in Jharkhand as a result of more than 100 government-run schools rearranging the weekly off from Sunday to Friday, purportedly without consent from the administration, in Muslim-dominated sections of the state’s Jamtara district.

Patna SSP, who was slammed for going slow on Munger murder of Hindu boy, now compares PFI arms training to RSS, gets support from RJD

OpIndia Staff
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Patna SSP, who was slammed for going slow on Munger murder of Hindu boy, now compares PFI arms training to RSS, gets support from RJD

The Senior Superintendent of Police of Patna, Manavjit Singh Dhillon, has sparked outrage by comparing the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Shakha to a Popular Front of India (PFI) training camp where anti-India activities were being planned.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (HUM) have endorsed the SSP, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has condemned Dhillon’s remarks, seeking an apology or his resignation from the Indian Police Service (IPS).

Meanwhile, Dhillon has received a show cause notice from the Bihar Police Headquarters to be responded to within 48 hours. The SSP was asked to respond to the statement in which he compared the PFI to the RSS. He will have to file a reply regarding his statement within the stipulated time.

SSP Dhillon equated the PFI training camp to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sakhahs. He stated that much as training with sticks is provided in RSS Shakhas, training under the pretext of physical training is provided in PFI training camps, and youths are brainwashed. It has to be mentioned here that while RSS trains its members to use a stick, PFI, in its recent vision document, has spoken about arms training to teach “coward Hindus” a lesson, spoken about the murder of Hindus and Hindu leaders and about establishing an Islamic government in India by 2047.

The RJD has backed Dhillon’s statement, saying that the senior superintendent of police in Patna was correct regarding Sangh’s tactic of spreading misinformation and hate in the garb of physical training and rioting. According to Danish Rizwan, spokesperson for the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), the SSP is being dragged into controversy for no cause. Rizwan posed the question, “If talking about an Islamic nation is illegal, is it legal to talk about Hindu Rashtra?”

Patna High Court had transferred Dhillon for going slow on Munger murder of a Hindu boy named Anurag Poddar

In 2021, the Patna High Court had reprimanded CID officials for being too easy on sub-inspector Brijesh Kumar Singh, the main accused in the Munger firing incident case of 2020. The Patna High Court ordered the transfer of then-superintendent of police MS Dhillon in April 2021 for being too tardy in the investigation of the Munger firing case.

Dhillon was in charge of the Special Investigation Team formed by Munger ranger DIG Manu Maharaaj to look into the Munger shootings case. The court further directed the additional director general of CID to form an SIT comprising senior officers above the rank of DSP to question the police officials facing investigation in the case.

Dalai Lama suggests India-China to solve border issues peacefully, says ‘use of military force outdated’

OpIndia Staff
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Dalai Lama suggests India-China to solve border issues peacefully, says ‘use of military force outdated’

On Friday, Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness Dalai Lama slammed China on its expansionist policy in Ladakh. The leader said that the use of military forces for expanding the territory was an outdated technique and suggested resolving the matter through peaceful talks. Dalai Lama is on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

“India and China, the two populated neighbours should resolve this problem through talks and peaceful means. Use of military force is outdated”, the Tibetan spiritual leader said on July 15. According to the reports, Dalai Lama also slammed China yesterday and said that he was trying to protect Buddhist culture.

“Not Chinese people, but some Chinese hardliners consider me a separatist. Now, more and more Chinese are realizing that Dalai Lama not seeking independence but within China meaningful autonomy and to preserve Tibetan Buddhist culture,” said the highest spiritual leader while responding to the media queries in Jammu.

When asked about China’s opposition to his arrival, the Dalai Lama stated, “This is typical. The Chinese do not oppose… an increasing number of Chinese are becoming interested in Tibetan Buddhism. Some of their experts have discovered that Tibetan Buddhism is highly scientific. Things are evolving.” The Dalai Lama, whose true name is Tenzin Gyatso, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 and is revered across the world for his support of Tibetan independence and other causes.

To note, before the arrival of the Tibetan leader in Jammu, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhao Lijian had encouraged New Delhi to label the Dalai Lama as ‘an anti-China separatist (in) nature’. She went on to say that India must uphold ‘its commitment to China, talk and behave responsibly, and refrain from utilizing Tibet-related concerns to intervene in China’s domestic affairs.

Also, Beijing had recently chastised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for congratulating the Dalai Lama on the occasion of his 87th birthday. PM Modi had called the Dalai Lama and wished him a warm 87th birthday. “I called His Holiness the Dalai Lama earlier today to wish him a happy 87th birthday. We wish him a long and healthy life”, Prime Minister Modi tweeted on July 6. China then stated that India should refrain from interfering in China’s domestic affairs through Tibet-related concerns.

The Dalai Lama has begun a two-day journey to Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. This is his first official excursion outside of his base in Dharamsala since the COVID-19 epidemic broke out. The visit also comes only three days before the 16th round of India-China Corps Commander-level talks, which are set to commence on July 17. Reports mention that the Dalai Lama is likely to visit the famed monastery in Leh during his tour.

Jharkhand: Probe initiated over media reports of conversion of 33 state-run schools in the Dumka district into Urdu schools

OpIndia Staff
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Jharkhand: Probe initiated over media reports of conversion of 33 state-run schools in the Dumka district into Urdu schools

Three days after media reports emerged that more than 33 state-run schools in Dumka, Jharkhand, have been converted into Urdu schools, the Department of School Education has taken cognisance of the same. On Thursday, July 14, ANI quoted the DSE of Dumka, Sanjay Kumar Das as saying, “We have written a letter to the BO of the 33 schools advising them to enquire about this matter. All the schools have Urdu in their names.”

On July 12, OpIndia reported how 33 government schools in Dumka, the hometown of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, have made several modifications in response to the whims of the local Muslim population in the area. They have converted to Urdu schools and the weekly offs have been changed from Sunday to Friday (Jumma).

Speaking about the arbitrary modifications, the DSE Dumka, further said that an investigation is being conducted on how Urdu is tied to these institutions and under what conditions the weekly holiday on Friday is offered in govt schools. “There’s no instruction from dept to keep schools closed on Friday. After receiving the report, we’ll start an investigation,” Das further told the media.

As per reports, ten state-run schools in Dumka’s Shikaripara Block, eight in Ranishwar Block, seven in Saraiyahat Block, two in Jama Block and Jarmundi Block, Kathikund Block and Dumka Block have changed their weekly offs from Sunday to Friday. Most of these institutions sport name boards suffixing “Urdu school” along with the names of the schools.

Islamification of state-run schools in Jharkhand

Notably, the government schools in Jharkhand have recently been in the headlines for their steady Islamification. Several state-run schools have reportedly been making modifications in response to the whims of the local Muslim population.

Only yesterday, OpIndia reported how a class 4 student was brutally thrashed by Mohammad Abul Kalam, the headmaster of a government school in  Giridih, Jharkhand, for writing ‘Jai Shri Ram’ on the classroom’s blackboard.

Recently, it was reported how Sharia and Islamic practices were being imposed on the students of a state-run school in Jharkhand’s Garhwa district, with children forbidden from praying with their hands folded. Then reports emerged on how state-run schools in areas like Jamtara and Dumka, which is the hometown of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, were being converted into Urdu schools, and the weekly offs changed from Sunday to Friday (Jumma).

In April, a ruckus ensued in the Government Jagannathpur Polytechnic college in Jharkhand after students chanted ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and Bharat Mata Ki Jai slogans while celebrating ‘Nav Samvatsar’, the first day of Hindu New Year. 

US House of Representatives gives nod to CAATSA waiver for India to remove threat of sanctions for ties with Russia, Iran

OpIndia Staff
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US House of Representatives gives nod to CAATSA waiver for India to remove threat of sanctions for ties with Russia, Iran

In an important development for India, the United States House of Representatives approved an India specific-waiver under CAATSA i.e. Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act on Thursday (July 14). Aimed at deepening defence ties, the legislation is considered the most significant step since the 2008 US-India nuclear deal. It was proposed by the Indian-origin Democrat Ro Khanna.

The CAATSA provides for sanctions by the USA against any country that maintains conducts significant transactions with Iran, North Korea or Russia. Under this federal law, US govt can impose economic and financial penalties on any country that have significant ties with the three nations. For India, it meant US could sanctions for defence ties with Russia, and trades with Iran.

After the CAATSA waiver, India will be able to continue its defence and trade ties with the three nations, especialy with Russia and Iran, without the looming threat of US sanctions. However, the waiver needs to be first approved by the senate and after that signed by the president.

The legislation sought to amend the National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA) to counter the looming threat of China against India’s security. The proposed amendment received the support of 330 Congressmen while 99 voted against it.

The CAATSA waiver is particularly important for the S-400 missile defence system deal that India has signed with Russia. US seas this state of the art missile defence system as a threat, and have threatened sanctions against any country that acquires it. India has already some units of the system which have been deployed along the borders. While the US govt undecisive on imposing sanctions on India for this deal, the waiver will mean that the threat of sanctions will cease to exist.

In a statement, House Representative Ro Khanna remarked, “The United States must stand with India in the face of escalating aggression from China. As Vice Chair of the India Caucus, I have been working to strengthen the partnership between our countries and ensure that India can defend itself along the Indian Chinese border.”

“This amendment is of the utmost importance, and I am proud to see it pass the House on a bipartisan basis,” he added. Khanna emphasised that the bilateral ties between India and the United States is rooted in democratic values and critical to counter threats in India-Pacific regions.

Khanna had also proposed that Congress recognised the serious nature of border threats received by India from China. He underlined that the United States must support India in meeting its immediate defence needs and helping it end its reliance on Russian weapons.

The Indian-origin Democrat also hailed the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (ICET) to accelerate bilateral cooperation in artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing, quantum computing, biotechnology, and aerospace.

A large number of politicians in US see India as an effective counter against growing Chinese influence in the region, and they recognise India’s need to maintain defence ties with Russia due to historical reasons. The CAATSA waiver has been initiated as a result of the same.

Did you know: Sonia Gandhi got LK Advani’s comments in Parliament expunged in 2012. Here is all you need to know

OpIndia Staff
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Did you know: Sonia Gandhi got LK Advani’s comments in Parliament expunged in 2012. Here is all you need to know

In the midst of the discussion around the 50-page list of terms that the Lok Sabha secretariat deemed inappropriate for use in Parliament, it is significant to mention how Congress President Sonia Gandhi exhibited a rare outburst of wrath in the Lok Sabha in August 2012 after the treasury benches took strong exception to a remark by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani. Advani’s statement that “UPA-2 is an illegitimate government” sparked outrage in the House.

Immensely enraged Sonia Gandhi persuaded Congress Members of Parliament (MPs) to protest. During the spat between the ruling and Opposition benches, Meira Kumar, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, urged Advani to retract his statement during the altercation between the opposition and government benches. Eventually, Advani’s remarks were expunged from the records of the house.

Under fire from Congress leaders over his remarks, Advani clarified that his comments referred to the 2008 confidence vote for which “crores of rupees” were spent to save the government.

“The UPA-2 is illegitimate. It has never happened in the history of India…crores of rupees were spent to get votes,” Advani said sparking anger among the treasury benches.

Advani’s remarks raised the hackles of Sonia Gandhi, who appeared animated with fury over his comments calling the UPA-II government illegitimate. Gandhi strongly protested against the comments and egged on her party members to vociferously register their protest against Advani’s remarks, following which the BJP leader was forced to withdraw the remarks.

Notably, ahead of the Monsoon Session, which starts on July 18, an argument broke out Thursday over a 50-page list of words and phrases issued by the Lok Sabha secretariat deemed unacceptable for use in Parliament. The opposition called the unparliamentary language list a “gag order” designed to protect the Modi government from “criticism.”

The controversy

A new handbook published by the Lok Sabha Secretariat lists a number of expressions that have been deemed unprofessional and improper for usage in the Parliament and that, at the chair’s discretion, would not be captured when the parliamentary proceedings are being recorded.

The handbook states that any criticism of the Chair in both chambers, whether in English or Hindi, will be deemed unparliamentary and will be expunged from the records of Parliament. It contains terms that have been removed from the records of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha in recent decades.

The opposition called the unparliamentary language list a “gag order” intended to insulate the Narendra Modi government from “criticism,” but Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla stressed that “no words had been banned.” He stated that it is the Chair’s discretion to remove words.

It is worth noting that the list is not a new recommendation, but rather a compilation of words that have already been eliminated from the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, or state legislatures’ recordings. The opposition has made an unreasonable fuss about the subject.

What rules say

The practice of compiling expunged terms has reportedly been in use since 1954, and the list simply acts as a guide for MPs. These phrases were viewed as being unparliamentary even during the UPA’s government. In the past year, 62 new words have been added to the list; some of them may now be under evaluation.

Additionally, in accordance with Rule 380 (Expunction) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha, the Speaker may, at his or her discretion, order that words used in debate be omitted from the proceedings of the House if they are deemed to be defamatory, indecent, improper, or undignified.

In both the English and the Indian languages, there are literally thousands of words and phrases that are regarded as inappropriate. The Presiding Officers are responsible for keeping such phrases out of the records of Parliament. The presiding officers’ choices determine when new words and phrases are added to the list.

For their convenience, the Lok Sabha Secretariat has produced a sizable book named “Unparliamentary Expressions.” The most recent of these books was published in 2009, under the UPA government. Since then, the list has been uploaded to the MPs portal and the Lok Sabha intranet.

The Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla, said on Thursday that there are no terms or expressions that are forbidden in the House and that members are free to speak their minds. He said that the government has no influence over the choice to expunge and that it is made purely at the Speaker’s or Chairman’s direction.

“It has been a routine practice since 1959. No words have been banned. Members are free to express their views; no one can snatch that right of members, but the expression of their words should be as per decorum of Parliament,” Birla told the media. “Earlier, a book of such unparliamentary words used to be released. To avoid wastage of paper, we have put it on the internet,” he further added.

“Expunged words” during UPA

According to a report, the list from 2012, i.e., under the UPA government, includes even commonly used phrases like ashamed, falsehood, corrupt, nonsense, bundles of lies, fool, lawlessness, liar, cheating, looted, dishonest, dishonesty, fraudulent, mad, mislead, goons, James Bond, and bribe.

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