The Congress on Friday took objection in the Rajya Sabha to the removal of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s name from the ‘Sadbhavna Diwas’ observed every year on August 20 but the Government asserted that various welfare schemes were not the monopoly of one “particular party” or “one family.”
Other issues including problems faced by students appearing for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical colleges and law Commission seeking opinion of political parties on Common Civil also figured in the Rajya Sabha. Trinamool Congress (TMC) staged a walk out for the second consecutive day alleging “political vendetta” against its leaders following protest against demonetisation.
Claiming that ‘Sadbhavana Diwas’ was observed every year on August 20, Rajiv Gandhi's birth anniversary, to mark his contribution to nation building, Congress alleged that his name was removed from Government advertisements for the last two years.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Chhaya Verma (Congress) said Rajiv Gandhi's name was deliberately removed.
Supporting her, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said Rajiv Gandhi was a “martyr.” He also alleged that names of former Prime Ministers were “obliterated,” and said the present Government was naming schemes and programmes after those people who have “done nothing for the country.”
Refuting his claim, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said if Sharma thinks that only “one party and one family” has a right over country's resources, Government schemes and programmes, then it is not possible.
leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said the present Government was renaming schemes over the past two-and-a half years and schemes were named after those who are directly or indirectly associated with the ruling party.
Highlighting the plight of candidates preparing for NEET examination to be held on May 7, Kahkashan Perveen (JD-U) said the conditions stipulated by Central Board of Examination(CBSE) like bar on candidates who had appeared for entrance test three times already had left scores of students crestfallen. Members from all parties associated with her assertion.
Sharad Yadav (JD-U) criticised the law Commission for initiating consultation on the Uniform Civil Code, saying it was “beyond its mandate” as the Constitution provided for such a step only when there is a consensus on the issue. Azad said the Government and others should refrain from joining the issue as Assembly elections were on in five States and UCC can be turned into an emotive agenda.
The House witnessed a spat between the ruling and TMC members when Swapan Dasgupta(nominated) sought to raise the issue of school students in West Bengal not allowed to have Saraswati Puja earlier this week.