Parliament Monsoon Session LIVE Updates: The Monsoon Session of Parliament on Friday, 21 July, witnessed ruckus in both the Houses over the Manipur violence for the second consecutive day.
The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been adjourned till 11am on Monday, 24 July.
Addressing the Lok Sabha, Union Minister Rajnath Singh said, "We can see that some parties want to create such circumstances that the discussion on Manipur does not take place. I am openly accusing that the Opposition is not as serious on the discussion as it is pretending to be."
AAP MPs Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha also had a heated exchange with Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankar over the Delhi Ordinance Bill.
The Centre, meanwhile, repeatedly said in both Houses that it is ready for a discussion on the matter and questioned the Opposition's motives behind not letting Parliament function.
PM Modi on Thursday addressed the media and said that the incident in Manipur of women being paraded naked is "shameful for any civilised society."
Congress MP Sonia Gandhi arrives at Parliament House during the Monsoon session, in New Delhi, Friday, July 21, 2023.
(Photo: PTI)
Citing rules 261 and 262 of the Parliament, TMC MP Derek O'Brien asked Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankar why the words 'prime minister' and 'Manipur' were expunged from his address on Thursday.
AAP MP Raghav Chadha said that the Manipur issue has shaken the country's collective conscience.
The Centre plans to push 31 Bills in this session, including The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill to replace the ordinance on services in Delhi and The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill.
The Delhi ordinance bill will face a key test in the Rajya Sabha where the Centre will need the support of non-NDA parties to pass it.
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Both Houses Adjourned Till Monday
At first, the Lok Sabha had been adjourned till 12pm on Friday while the Rajya Sabha was meant to reconvene at 2:30pm on the same day.
However, after barely witnessing any proceedings, both Houses were adjourned till 11am on Monday, 24 July.
The legislative agenda in Parliament on Friday, included tabling of parliamentary standing committee reports, introduction and ascension of bills such as The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2022, and private members' business.
'Oppn Looking for Excuses': Anurag Thakur
Addressing the media, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said that the Opposition is finding excuses to not let the House function.
"Some are no longer a part of the Parliament house so, they don't want the Parliament to further proceed. Why is opposition running away from Parliamentary discussions? Is it because their politicians are no longer serving the Parliament? Or are they trying to avoid discussion on the loopholes of their government?"
'Oppn Not Serious About Discussion on Manipur': Rajnath Singh
Union Minister Rajnath Singh said that the government is ready for a discussion on Manipur but the Opposition is not serious about it.
"PM Modi himself said that the country is ashamed of whatever has happened in the state and assured strict action. Still, if the Opposition does not want to discuss, it only means that they are not serious," he told news agency ANI.
'Manipur Incident Gruesome': MP Hema Malini
Commenting on the Manipur incident, MP Hema Malini said that a discussion will take place in the House.
"Parliamentary discussion will take place on this matter as the Manipur incident was a gruesome act that invokes contempt and no woman should have to go through it. Prime Minister Modi has also spoken on this" she told news agency ANI.