Manipur: To demand a new practice not in national interest: Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla to opposition | India News

NEW DELHI: Both Houses of Parliament witnessed noisy scenes on Monday, the third day of the ongoing monsoon session, over Manipur violence before being adjourned for the day with hardly any business getting transacted. While the government said it was ready for a discussion, the opposition demanded that the discussion must start with Prime Minister Narendra Modi making statements in both Houses. However, Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla clarified that the discussion can start after the question hour and that a new practice cannot be allowed to start.

When the Lower House reconvened at 2.30 pm after witnessing a couple of adjournments following noisy scenes, home minister Amit Shah said MPs of both the treasury benches and the opposition have demanded a discussion on the sensitive matter.
Shah said, “I am ready for discussion in the House. I do not know why the opposition does not want a discussion to take place. It is my request to the opposition leader to allow discussion and it is important that the truth reaches throughout the country on this important matter.”

Giving his observation following the home minister’s statement, the speaker said, “The honourable home minister has clarified that the government is ready for a discussion. The minister of the concerned department participates in the discussion. To demand a new practice and to not allow the House to function is not in the interest of the nation.”
Birla reiterated that the government has explicitly asked for a discussion to take place on the issue and help find solutions so that it can help the people of Manipur by suggesting better ways in a collective manner.
The speaker adjourned the Lok Sabha for the day when his repeated appeals to the opposition MPs to return to their seats and maintain order were not paid heed to.

Both the Houses of Parliament could not function for the third consecutive in the current monsoon session.
Earlier in the day, as soon as the House met at 11 am, opposition members from the Congress, DMK, Left parties, and others were on their feet.
The speaker allowed the leader of the Congress in the House Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury to speak. Chowdhury said Modi should make a suo motu statement on the floor of the House on the violence in Manipur.
Birla said the House is ready for a discussion on the Manipur violence and the debate can start after 12 noon. The speaker was against disturbing the time fixed for the question hour from 11 am every day on the ground that several important issues are raised by the members during this period while the government replies to them.
“The whole House is ready for the discussion and the government will reply to the debate too. But you will not decide who will reply to the debate,” the speaker said.
Parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi also said the government is ready for a discussion while pointing out that it is the opposition that is disrupting the proceedings and running away from a debate.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh, who is also the deputy leader of the Lok Sabha, reiterated his statement made on Friday that the government is ready for a discussion on the Manipur violence.

As the opposition members stuck to their demand for a statement from the prime minister, the speaker continued with the proceedings.
The House functioned during the question hour for about 30 minutes amid the sloganeering and protest by the opposition.
Birla again appealed to the opposition to allow the question hour to go on smoothly as he was ready for a discussion on the Manipur violence from 12 noon onwards.
The opposition members were holding up placards that read “INDIA wants discussion on Manipur violence”, “INDIA for Manipur” and the likes.
“A solution could come only through discussions. I am accepting your request. I am ready for the discussion, but let the question hour be continued first. People have not sent you here for sloganeering or showing placards. The government will take action on the outcome of the debate. Don’t you want a debate,” Birla asked the opposition members.
The speaker said he is ready to give enough time to everyone for raising their issues, but only after the question hour.
Birla adjourned the House after that.
(With inputs from agencies)