Issues ranging from illegal and rampant sale of acid through online platforms, agitation in Allahabad University and slump in industrial production figured prominently on Tuesday in the Rajya Sabha.
The entire Opposition walked out at the end of the morning session on Tuesday alleging that the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) only visits Opposition ruled States for investigations while skipping BJP-governed Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.
Dola Sen (TMC), while making her Zero Hour submission, said it is unfortunate the NHRC is visiting Bihar and goes to Bengal, but does not visit Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. Sen then announced a walkout of the TMC from the House. Other opposition parties too followed. Earlier, Manoj Jha (RJD) too wanted to raise the issue, but could not.
Raising the issue of easy availability of acid in the backdrop of recent attack on a teenage girl in West Delhi, Fauzia Khan (NCP) said majority of such attacks were against young women.
On December 14, a 17-year-old girl was attacked while on way to her school resulting in serious injuries. Three men, including her neighbour, have been arrested in the case.
Khan said majority of the reported cases of acid attacks are against young women and most of them who turn down a proposal for marriage, or refuse to enter into a relationship or withdraw from a relationship. "Despite the existence of laws the crime of acid attacks continued unabated. The reason is that acids can be procured easily as there is laxness on part of implementation of regulations. It is the implementation that is important. There is high prevalence of illegal sale of acid," she said.
She further said the accused in the Delhi case had allegedly procured the substance through Flipkart by paying for it through an e-wallet. Khan claimed a bottle of hydrochloric acid can be procured for as low as Rs 189 through websites.
In his mention, A A Rahim (CPI-M) said the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) fell to a 26-month low in October due to contraction in the manufacturing sector and production of consumer goods.
"This is an alarming indication. Industrial sector is facing a major crisis," he said, adding the contraction in IIP is an indicator of unemployment and under-employment. He urged the government to intervene to control the situation. Rajmani Patel (Congress) drew the attention of the house to the unrest in the prestigious Allahabad University.