In order to maintain neutrality over the conflict between Israel and Palestine at Gaza Strip, the NDA Government on Wednesday avoided a discussion on the issue in the Rajya Sabha. This became a flashpoint between the Treasury Benches and the Congress-led Opposition forcing repeated adjournments. The House could not transact any business before it was adjourned for the day, and a scheduled debate on the Railway Budget could also not be taken up.
The short duration discussion on Gaza situation was mentioned in the list of Business followed by a debate on the Railway Budget. But before it could be taken up, Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj, quoting rules, gave a letter to the Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari urging him to drop the discussion.
She argued that till the time a decision on her letter was given no discussion could be held on Israel-Palestine conflict. Sushma said she came to know about the list of Business only when she came to the House on Wednesday. Government sources said that consent of her ministry was not taken before scheduling the discussion. Moreover, it is learnt, that the Government wants to maintain neutrality on the issue and doesn’t want to be seen taking side. “We have diplomatic ties with both the nations. Any discourteous reference to any friendly country can impact our relations with them,” Swaraj said.
She, along with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu, argued the House should take up debate on Railway Budget till the Chairman’s ruling on her letter came. Sushma left the House while Opposition protested.Government sources argued that discussion on the Gaza violence is not a matter on which work in Parliament should be stalled. “Competitive politics shouldn’t affect national foreign policies. We are open to debate on situation in Iraq where India has stakes but why is Congress not seeking a debate on itIJ This is an issue between two countries and the United Nations is already intervening,” said the source.
“In the larger interest of the country, I urge the House to take up the Railway Budget,” Naidu said. But the entire Opposition joined hands in an attempt to pin down the Government. The Opposition was not inclined to oblige treasury bench arguing the issue had been listed as part of business for the day and should be taken up first.
“We cannot take up the Railway Budget unless the first item is disposed off,” said leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad. later Trinmool Congress MP Derek Obrien gave a notice for cancellation of Question Hour on Thursday to discuss Gaza developments on priority.
In fact, during the zero hour, Congress’ Saiffudin Soz raised the issue and protested against the Government’s silence on ‘Israeli attacks on the unarmed Palestinians.’ “India has wanted a dignified life for Palestinians, as a sovereign state, now, bombing on unarmed Palestinians is something that should be opposed but this Government remains a silent spectator. It is a breach of the set policy of India. Yasar Arafat has been one of the greatest friends of India and Palestinians have been grateful to India for support,” Soz said.