Moga molestation case rocks Parliament

Tuesday, 05/05/2015

http://www.indiapress.org/gen/news.php/The_Tribune/

New Delhi : Deputy Leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, Captain Amarinder Singh, on Tuesday, raised the issue of ‘deteriorating’ law and order situation in Punjab in Lok Sabha saying the ‘Moga incident’—the death of a 14-year-old girl, who was molested – was just the culmination of such events in the past.

Outside Parliament Capt told reporters: “Imposition of President’s rule in the state is the only option. Elections (to the state assembly) are some 18-20 months away and this cannot carry on till then.”

The Congress will continue to raise its voice on the issue.  He questioned why Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal had not been booked if the owners of Uber taxi service were booked after woman alleged molestation in one of their cabs in New Delhi.

Inside the House, Capt Amarinder’s words were drowned amidst the din of sloganeering by the MP’s of the Telegana Rashtriya Samiti (TRS) demanding a separate High Court for the state of Telegana.

The Akalis, Prem Singh Chandumajra, Ranjit Singh Bharampura and Sher Singh Ghubaya, said Amarinder was trying to vitiate the atmosphere in the state even as the Speaker, Sumitra Mahajan, reminded the former Punjab Chief Minister that the ‘Moga incident’ had been raised in the House already.

Amarinder retorted that he was raising the issue of law and order in Punjab and the Parliament was a platform to raise such issues. He listed out how a policeman was beaten up for trying to protect the dignity of his daughter.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaih Naidu also intervened saying same matters cannot be raised again and again.

Outside the House Amarinder, who was accompanied by Punjab Congress Legislative Party chief Sunil Jakhar and former Union Minister Ashwani Kumar, said the Administration in Punjab is totally politicised.

“The DGP downwards, nobody is keen on action”. The Congress, he said will take the issue to the people of Punjab.

Meanwhile, Opposition led by Congress today forced two adjournments in Rajya Sabha demanding discussion over Moga bus case.

When the House met for the day, Ambika Soni (Congress) raised the issue saying there was a complete breakdown of law and order in Punjab, necessitating Centre's intervention.

Other parties, including the Left, joined in the protest with Mayawati (BSP) demanding imposition of President's rule in the state.

The demand for a discussion on the issue was strongly opposed by Akali Dal members, forcing Deputy Chairman P J Kurien adjourned the House for 10 minutes. Opposition continued to vociferously press their demand when the House reassembled, forcing another adjournment till noon.   

Soni said the situation in Punjab merits direct intervention of the Centre as law and order has broken down.

Congress leader Anand Sharma said this was a very serious issue and the House should condemn the incident.

Kurien said no notice on the subject has been given. "I am not saying anything about merit of what you are saying. All I have said is please give notice."

Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M) said the chair should allow some matter that has come up so urgently. "Because of the importance of the incident, please allow us to discuss."    

Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said the matter needed to be discussed as the bus belonged to a company run by senior goverment functionary.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the state government had taken immediate action against the culprits and it was not proper to discuss the working of state governments in the House.

"If you want to discuss various issues, give a notice," he said.

Kurien said he has two notices for suspension of business under rule 267 on separate issues and wants to dispose of them first.

Soon after the notices were disallowed after the movers spoke briefly, Opposition was again on their feet raising the Moga incident.

Mayawati (BSP) said no action has been taken against the real culprits. "Life and property of women in Punjab is in danger... President's rule should be imposed," she said.

Kurien however insisted that a notice be given seeking a discussion on the issue. But opposition members were unrelenting and moved into the aisles shouting slogans, forcing adjournment.

In Lok Sabha, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan today rejected the motion for adjournment moved by Congress on Moga molestation case.

Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, Amarinder Singh, had move an adjournment motion to discuss the Moga bus case and law and order situation in Punjab. Congress had asked for suspension of Question Hour and take up the issue immediately.

Reiterating his demand for imposition of President's rule in Punjab in wake of the Moga molestation case, Captain said such incidents will continue to take place till the law is not strengthened in the state.

The repeated demand for justice from the opposition forced Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to adjourn proceedings till 2 p.m.