A day after Assam released the National Register of Citizens (NRC) final draft excluding nearly 40 lakh people of the state, the BJP-led NDA government and the Congress-led opposition were involved in a bitter war of words both inside and outside Parliament on Tuesday. While both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha witnessed uproar, MPs were seen engaging in a verbal duel outside the Parliament complex.
Leading the charge in Rajya Sabha, BJP president Amit Shah said that the NDA government has done what the UPA couldn't. "Rajiv Gandhi signed Assam accord in 1985, which was similar to NRC. They did not have courage to implement it, we did," Amit Shah said triggering a protest from Congress MPs. Chairman Venkaiah Naidu had to the House adjourned till 11 am tomorrow as the Opposition MPs continued to raise slogans despite repeated appeals from him to let the proceedings continue.
'Rohingyas to be deported'
Lok Sabha too witnessed skirmishes between the opposition and treasury benches over the Assam NRC issue. Replying to a question during Question Hour, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said Army has been deployed to stop Rohingya Muslims' infiltration into the country.
He also said he has issued an advisory to states to monitor those who have already infiltrated. "They have been asked to keep them in one place and not let them spread. States also have the right to deport them," Rajnath Singh said.
Trinamool Congress member Sugata Bose raised the issue that the Ministry of External Affairs is carrying out "Operation Insaniyat" (Operation Humanity) in Bangladesh while on the other hand it started the process of deportation of Rohingyas from the country.
"External Affairs Ministry is conducting operation insaniyat (humanity) for Rohingyas in Bangladesh. There are about 40,000 Rohingyas in India. Will we show insaniyat for only those who are in Bangladesh?" Bose said.
Responding to Bose's remarks, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said: This is an unfortunate statement by him. India is probably the only country which has adopted such a soft approach to refugees.
BJP, Congress clash outside Parliament
MPs not only clashed inside both houses of Parliament but sparks flew outside the complex too. Union Minister Ashwini Choubey and Congress MP Pradip Bhattacharya entered into a heated debate when they came out of the building.
"You are misleading the people of the country. I am aware what you are trying to do," charged Pradip Bhattacharya.
"Who are you...everyone has the right to speak. Only Indians will be allowed to live in the country. Illegal Bangladeshis, Rohingyas will be deported," Ashwini Choubey responded. The two leaders continued to trade charges for quite sometime before they left the Parliament complex.
WATCH: Congress, BJP MPs spar over Rohingya issue
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