Criticising Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s recent statements about ‘no first use’ nuclear doctrine and surgical strikes, the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday sought a clarification from him. The Minister, who was present in the House, however, did not respond as the Government is not bound to clarify when an issue is raised during Zero Hour.
Other issues like plight of young women becoming pregnant after rape and lack of infrastructural support to take care of them, assault on film “Padmavati” director in Rajasthan and political violence in Kerala also figured in the Upper House.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) members staged a walk out to protest against alleged threats by BJP cadres to TMC leaders in West Bengal.
While Shantaram Naik (Congress) raised the issue about Parrikar’s statements, his party colleague Anand Sharma and JD (U) leader Sharad Yadav also urged the Government to clarify the stand in order to send the correct message to the nation and international community.
Referring to the Minister’s statement on nuclear doctrine at a recent book launch, Naik said Parrikar had then articulated a personal view which is contrary to India’s ‘no first use’ of nuclear weapons. Sharma said the nuclear doctrine issue is serious and the minister should refrain from making such policy statements outside Parliament.
Naik said Parrikar, in one statement, had given credit to RSS ideology for the surgical strikes instead of the brave soldiers, while in another statement he had said that India had never carried out such action before the one conducted last year.
Parrikar never mentioned the strike that India had carried out in erstwhile East Pakistan under occupation of Pakistan dividing that country into two during Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s tenure, the Congress MP said.
Drawing the attention of the house to the plight of young rape victims and social stigma attached to it, Viplove Thakur(Congress) said there was no infrastructural support for these girls. She urged the Government to have a law in this regard to protect the victims. Almost the entire House associated with her.
Jaya Bachchan(Samajwadi Party) said there was growing intolerance in the country and some elements claiming to represent the majority view recently attacked Sanjay leela Bhansali, director of “Padmavati,” on the sets in Jaipur. Members of CPI(M) and BJP traded charges over alleged political killings in Kerala, forcing the Chair to expunge some remarks. While KK Ragesh(CPM ) blamed the RSS for the attacks, Vinay Sahasrabuddhe(BJP) claimed the left party was responsible for attacks on women and others. He, however, did not name
the CPM.
However, the left party raised strong objection and Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien assured them that he will expunge all objectionable remarks. Earlier, he expunged Ragesh’s claim against RSS.
Referring to earthquake in Uttrakhand on Monday night, Pramod Tiwari (Congress) attacked the Centre for its “step motherly treatment” of non-BJP ruled States during natural disasters.
Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tiwari said where ever he goes something happens and cited the earthquake in Nepal, Afghanistan and Pakistan following his visits to those counties.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the Prime Minister and Government was sensitive. However, “If there is quake in Congress, Modi Ji cannot help,” Naqvi shot back.