The Opposition on Friday expressed concern in the Rajya Sabha over the judiciary’s role and claimed it was overstepping its jurisdiction by interfering in the functioning of lawmakers and urged the Government to assert its right to govern. Other issues like misuse of sedition and anti-terror laws, plight of farmers and import duty on wheat also came up in the House.
Raising the issue of defined roles of Parliament and judiciary, Naresh Agrawal (SP) said the courts were going beyond their defined boundaries and issuing verdicts like banning liquor sale on highways and interfering in determining the salaries of perks of MPs. He said Parliament has the right to frame laws and the Government should assert its right. He also referred to a Madras High Court verdict directing the Government to waive off loans and questioned the court’s authority on such matters. Several Opposition MPs backed his contention.
Ritabrata Banerjee (CPM) drew the attention of the House to the alleged ‘misuse’ of sedition and anti-terror laws against human rights and political activists and religious minorities. He also said these charges were being ‘used recklessly’ and with a ‘political motive.’
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, he said sedition charges as well as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) were being slapped in a wrong manner adding it is violation of democratic principles and basic human rights.
In his Zero Hour mention, TK Rangarajan (CPM) raised the issue of amendments proposed in the Right to Information (RTI) Act, while Swait Malik (BJP) demanded starting up of work on the alternate expressway connecting Amritsar and Delhi.
Revati Raman Singh (SP) highlighted plight of farmers and demanded that their loans including those for tractors and term loans, should be waived off.
Several MPs urged the Government to hike the import duty on wheat to protect the interest of Indian farmers and Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh assured them during the Question Hour that the Government is constantly reviewing the situation. He also said it was for the first time since Independence that the NDA Government had imposed an import duty.