Opposition parties led by Congress on Monday staged vociferous protests in Parliament over the India-China military clash in Arunachal Pradesh and walked out of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha following the rejection of their demand for an immediate discussion on the issue after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's statement.
A number of MPs from Congress, Trinamool Congress, RJD and AAP among others had submitted notices in both Houses seeking suspension of business to discuss the December 9 clash between Indian and Chinese troops but it was not allowed with the government saying that Singh would make a statement. Both Houses witnessed an adjournment in the first hour of proceedings.
Opposition MPs raised the matter in both Houses after the obituary reference to the martyrs of the December 13 Parliament attack, leading to sloganeering and demand for an immediate discussion in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. MPs from Congress, Trinamool Congress, AAP, RJD, DMK, Samajwadi Party, CPI(M), CPI and Shiv Sena (Thackeray) among others walked out.
In Rajya Sabha, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge sought suspension of business saying China has refused to vacate Indian territory despite demands to ensure status quo ante as of April 2020 and has been "deliberately taking shelter behind the statement of our Prime Minister on June 20, 2020, saying that no one has entered into our territory".
He accused the government of remaining a "mute spectator" when national security and territorial integrity is being "impinged upon by brazen Chinese transgressions".
Acknowledging the valour of Indian soldiers, he said China has brazenly transgressed into India and the "illegal and unprovoked Chinese transgressions upto Y junction in Depsang Plains continues till date". He also referred to Chinese transgressions into Gogra and Hot Springs area in Eastern Ladakh while alleging that the Modi government was "continuously ignoring" Chinese construction near Pangong Tso lake.
"The government also remains oblivious to the Chinese construction of a new radome and two high frequency microwave towers and other ongoing construction in the area. Construction of the Pangong Tso bridge along with decks on both sides facilitating easy movements of Chinese troupes has also been brushed aside," he added.
When Leader of House Piyush Goyal said that Singh's statement originally scheduled to be made at 2 pm could be read out at 12:30 PM, the Opposition asked whether a discussion would follow to which there was no commitment from the treasury benches. Deputy Chairman Harivansh then intervened to say that the matter is sensitive, leading to Opposition protest. That led to a brief adjournment till 12 noon.
Soon after Singh completed his statement, Kharge was on his feet demanding a discussion and he was joined by other Opposition MPs. As Harivansh went ahead with Question Hour after citing some precedence where discussion was not allowed, Kharge announced a walkout.
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"The opposition repeatedly asked for a debate on the Chinese transgression, but the government refused to allow it. The Defence Minister left without giving any clarification to the House. This is not good for the nation. There is no point in sitting in the House of the government refuses to give any clarification," Kharge told reporters.
RJD MP Manoj Jha said the Deputy Chairman cited various precedents, but asked how one can forget the 1962 Parliament session when the Indo-China conflict was debated in the House. "This government lives in brazen denial of the Indo-China conflict," Jha said.
Lok Sabha too witnessed similar scenes with senior opposition MPs, including Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Gaurav Gogoi (both Congress), T R Baalu (DMK) and Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM) raising the matter during Question Hour leading to an adjournment.
While Chowdhary demanded that there should be a discussion immediately after Singh's statement, Gogoi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should make the statement.
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