Parliament Winter Session: Lok Sabha passes Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha adjourned to meet again on Thursday at 11 am.

On Union HM Amit Shah's remark on Pandit Nehru, Former J&K CM and National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah says, "...At that time, the army was diverted to save Poonch and Rajouri. If it had not been done, Poonch and Rajouri would have also gone to Pakistan...There was no other way than this, Lord Mountbatten and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had also suggested that this should go to the United Nations...". 

The Jammu & Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 have been passed by Lok Sabha.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said, "In the Home Minister's (Amit Shah) intervention yesterday, he had sort of taunted the opposition saying, "How can a country have more than 1 constitution, more than 1 flag". But if he looks around the world, there are many federal countries where there is more than 1 constitution, more than 1 flag. For example, in America, each of the 50 states has its own constitution and its own flag. In, Australia, not only is the same thing true that they have their own constitution, their own flag, but they also have their own prime minister each of the states. So there is no bar against this. I mean, you can say that in India, we don't want this. That's fine. But don't say no country can have it because other countries do have."

The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023 taken up for consideration and passing in Lok Sabha.

Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill passed by Lok Sabha. 

Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said the two bills related to Jammu and Kashmir brought by the government will give justice to those deprived of their rights for the last 70 years and asserted that reservation to the displaced people will give them a voice in the legislature. Replying to a debate on the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, Shah said that had terrorism been tackled at the beginning without considering vote-bank politics, Kashmiri Pandits would not have had to leave Kashmir Valley. He said one of the bills seeks to give representation in the assembly to those who had to leave Kashmir due to terrorism. He said the bills were aimed at providing justice to the people who were deprived for the last 70 years. Shah also lashed out at the Congress for talking about backward classes, saying that if any party has opposed backward classes and come in the way of their growth, it is the Congress. He said Narendra Modi was born into a poor family and became the prime minister and he knows the pain of the backward classes and the poor.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah speaks on The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 & The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2023. He says, "A few people also tried to underestimate it...someone said that only the name is being changed. I would like to tell all of them that if we have even a little sympathy then we need to see that respect is attached to the name. This can be seen by only those who want to bring them forward considering them like their brothers. Those who use it as vote bank for their own political benefit...Narendra Modi is a leader who was born into a poor family and became the Prime Minister of the country today. He knows the pain of the poor..."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah speaks on The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2023 says, "The Bill that I have brought here pertains to bringing justice to and providing rights to those against whom injustice was done, who were insulted and those who were ignored. In any society, those who are deprived should be brought forward. That is the basic sense of the Constitution of India. But they have to be brought forward in a way that doesn't reduce their respect. There is a huge difference between giving rights and giving rights respectfully. So, instead of weak and deprived category renaming it to Other Backward Class is important.

During the Lok Sabha discussion on the Jammu and Kashmir (Reorganisation) Bill, Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of forgetting his commitment to peace and stability in the Union Territory. In response, Shah, taking a jibe at the BJP, proposed a day for the House to discuss the 'mistakes' of former PM Nehru, to which Shah expressed readiness for an immediate discussion.

In the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, Lok Sabha is actively engaged in discussions surrounding the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2023. Lawmakers are delving into the various aspects and implications of the proposed bill, aiming to address and reorganise the administrative and political framework in the region.

Parliament Winter Session: Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 2 PM.

DMK MP Senthilkumar, during the ongoing Parliament Winter Session on Wednesday, expressed regret over his 'controversial' statement made in the Lok Sabha. He explicitly mentioned his withdrawal of the statement. "Made statement inadvertently; if it hurt sentiments, I withdraw it," said Senthil Kumar in LS on remarks against Hindi heartland states.

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram expressed confidence in the success of the I.N.D.I.A coalition, stating, "I don't think there is any problem with the I.N.D.I.A coalition. The coalition is committed to making it a success, and I am sure that the leaders will find a convenient day to meet and take things forward."

In a lively session, BJP MP Arjun Ram Meghwal called for an apology from the DMK regarding remarks made by its party MP, Senthilkumar. Meghwal drew a parallel, citing a similar remark by Rahul Gandhi when he lost Amethi. Accusing these parties of attempting to divide the country along north and south lines, Meghwal emphasized the need for accountability.

"In the Lok Sabha today, amid the controversy over the statement regarding cow urine, Congress and the I.N.D.I.A coalition's allied parties stood firm while we were demanding an apology. They are engaging in theft and deceit, threatening us. This nation will remain united; they will fail in dividing North and South. Why aren't they apologizing? Rahul Gandhi continues to make statements like this."

Lok Sabha was adjourned till 12 noon amid an uproar in the House. 

Today in the Rajya Sabha, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Member of Parliament Sushil Gupta has issued a notice addressing the issue of "political vendetta against Opposition parties." Gupta is urging the House to engage in a comprehensive debate on this matter and to direct the government to cease what he perceives as political vendetta. This move highlights growing concerns within the opposition regarding the alleged use of state machinery for partisan purposes. Stay tuned for further developments as this issue takes center stage in parliamentary discussions."

In a significant development today, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who is also a BJP Member of Parliament, is set to propose the consideration of a Bill for further amendments to the Central Universities Act, 2009, in the Lok Sabha. This move underscores a crucial legislative step that could impact the governance and functioning of central universities across the country. Stay tuned for updates as the proceedings unfold in the Lok Sabha."

In a key development on the third day of the Winter Session, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present a statement, in both English and Hindi, outlining the Supplementary Demands for Grants for the fiscal year 2023-24 in the Rajya Sabha. This move is expected to be a pivotal moment during the ongoing parliamentary session, shedding light on the government's financial priorities and additional funding requirements. Stay tuned for updates as the Winter Session progresses."