Prime Minister Narendra Modi today urged states to take strict action against those who are inciting violence in the name of cow vigilantism.
Addressing the media after the all-party meet today, BJP leaders Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Anant Kumar said that Pm Modi has assured investigation against those who resort to violence in the name of 'gau raksha'. PM Modi also urged leader of the parties to not give cow vigilantism a political or communal colour and said the nation does not benefit from it.
"The central government has sent advisories to the state governments. Law and order is the state subject. As such, very tough action should be taken against those resorting to violence in the name of cow protection," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananthkumar told reporters, quoting Modi as saying at the meeting in Parliament House.
Modi said some political parties were painting cow protection with communal colour and taking political advantages which does not benefit the country.
"The race which has started to score political mileages after painting cow protection with communal colours will do no good to the country. Everyone should come together and put an end to it (cow vigilantism)," the Prime Minister told all parties.
"There is a law on cow protection in the country. But committing crimes in the name of cow protection out of personal animosities cannot be tolerated," Modi said, according to Ananthkumar.
On June 30, Modi had said that no person in this nation has the right to take the law in his or her own hands. Earlier in August last year, Modi said most people involved in vigilante attacks are involved in anti-social activities and pretend to be cow protectors.
During the all-party meet a day ahead of the Monsoon Session, PM Modi also expressed concern over the flood-situation in north-east.
At the meeting, the Prime Minister reportedly thanked everyone for the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and called it a shining example of cooperative federalism.
On the Presidential election, Ananth Kumar quoted Narendra Modi as saying that a consensus would have been appreciated but despite that parties have maintained decency and have refrained from using unparliamentary language.
PM Modi also reportedly requested everyone tom participate in the presidential election and use his/her vote judiciously.
The Prime Minister also said this August 9 would mark the 75th anniversary of the Quit India movement and suggested deliberations on how the day can be celebrated.
Meanwhile, the Congress on Sunday said it would seek answers from the government over an ongoing border stand-off with China, the worsening situation in Kashmir and mob lynching incidents in the name of the cow.
“We will raise the issues related to mob lynching, the agrarian crisis in view of farmer suicides,” said Congress.
Speaking to the media, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, said that situation on the border with China in the Sikkim sector is very tense even as he blamed Beijing for the boundary stand-off.
“This situation has been created by China. It is a matter of country’s security and we will raise it in Parliament,” he said.
A structured meeting within the Congress on the party's strategy in the coming session is slated on Monday, when the session is unlikely to transact much business due to the presidential election.
Another joint meeting of opposition leaders is slated the next day for putting in place their strategy for the session.
"The government would want the monsoon session of Parliament to be fruitful and constructive. We will also ensure good coordination and communication with the opposition to help get legislative business passed during the session.
"If the opposition demands a discussion on some current issues, we will discuss the same in the business advisory committee and the chairman will decide the time and date of discussion," Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told PTI.
Issues like the flood situation particularly in Assam and other northeastern states, violence over Gorkhaland, fallout of demonetisation, job losses and disinvestment of PSUs are also likely to be raised.
The prime minister's first-ever visit to Israel is also likely to figure for discussion in the coming session.
A lot of legislative business is lined up by the government in this session, which includes the 'The Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2017', 'The Requisitioning and Acquisition of Immovable Property (Amendment) Bill, 2017', 'The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment) Bill, 2017' in the Lok Sabha.
Besides, 'The Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Public-Private Partnership) Bill, 2017' and 'The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2017', 'The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2017', 'The Footwear Design and Development Institute Bill, 2017', are also lined up for passage in the Lok Sabha.
The government in Rajya Sabha has also lined up a number of legislations for consideration and passage. These include the Constitution amendment bill on national backward commission, the labour code bill, the extension of GST in Jammu and Kashmir bill, the banking resolution bill and 'The Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Bill, 2017, among others.
The government has also listed 'The Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015 for consideration and passage, which has been pending in Rajya Sabha for sometime now.
