<p>Days after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ishrat-jahan-triple-talaq-petitioner-joins-bjp-28214" target="_blank">Ishrat Jahan, one of the petitioners in the triple talaq case, joined the BJP</a>, her lawyer&nbsp;Nazia Elahi Khan also joined the party.</p>

<p>Nazia Elahi Khan is an activist and lawyer of triple talaq victim Ishrat Jahan.</p>

<p>He joined the BJP in Kolkata.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Nazia Elahi Khan, activist and lawyer of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaq?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaq</a> victim Ishrat Jehan also joins BJP in Kolkata. Ishrat Jehan had already joined BJP <a href="https://t.co/cSmnCHnsM2">pic.twitter.com/cSmnCHnsM2</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/948886434433310721?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Ishrat&nbsp;was one of the five petitioners in the triple talaq case.</p>

<p>She said she would work in the party&#39;s women&#39;s wing.</p>

<p>She joined the BJP on December 30&nbsp;at Howrah office on December 30.</p>

<p>Her husband had divorced her over the phone from Dubai in 2014 by uttering &quot;talaq&quot; thrice.</p>

<p>The Islamic practice of Triple Talaq was struck down by the Supreme Court on August 22.</p>


Nazia Elahi Khan is an activist and lawyer of Triple Talaq victim Ishrat Jahan victim, he joined the BJP in Kolkata

Days after Ishrat Jahan, one of the petitioners in the triple talaq case, joined the BJP, her lawyer Nazia Elahi Khan also joined the party. Nazia Elahi Khan is an activist and lawyer of triple talaq victim Ishrat Jahan. He joined the BJP in Kolkata. Nazia Elahi Khan, activist and lawyer of #TripleTalaq victim Ishrat Jehan also joins BJP in Kolkata. Ishrat Jehan had already joined BJP pic.twitter.com/cSmnCHnsM2 — ANI (@ANI) January 4, 2018 × Ishrat was one of the five petitioners in the triple talaq case. She said she would work in the party's women's wing. She joined the BJP on December 30 at Howrah office on December 30. Her husband had divorced her over the phone from Dubai in 2014 by uttering "talaq" thrice. The Islamic practice of Triple Talaq was struck down by the Supreme Court on August 22.

Triple talaq: After Ishrat Jahan, her lawyer joins BJP

<p>Congress leader Anand Sharma has sent a notice proposing names of 17 Rajya Sabha MPs to be members of Select Committee for the Triple Talaq Bill.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The proposal includes the name of MPs such as Renuka Chowdhury, K Rahman Khan, Derek O Brien, Javed Ahmad, Majeed Memon, KK Ragesh, D Raja.</p>

<p>The names of MPs proposed mostly belong to the Congress, AIADMK, SP, BSP, DMK, NCP, CPI(M), CPI parties.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Name of 17 Rajya Sabha MPs including Renuka Chowdhury, K Rahman Khan, Derek O Brien, Javed Ahmad, Majeed Memon, KK Ragesh, D Raja proposed to be members of Select Committee in the notice sent by Congress&#39; Anand Sharma <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBill</a> <a href="https://t.co/aExOfiFMnL">pic.twitter.com/aExOfiFMnL</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/948511309179400192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Opposition today demanded that the Triple Talaq bill should be sent to the Select Committee for modifications of certain provisions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had tabled the bill in Rajya Sabha.</p>

<p>Within few&nbsp;hours of tabling the bill, the Upper House was disrupted due to Opposition&#39;s demand of&nbsp;sending the bill to Select Committee.</p>


The proposal includes name of MPs including Renuka Chowdhury, K Rahman Khan, Derek O Brien, Javed Ahmad, Majeed Memon, KK Ragesh, D Raja

Congress leader Anand Sharma has sent a notice proposing names of 17 Rajya Sabha MPs to be members of Select Committee for the Triple Talaq Bill. The proposal includes the name of MPs such as Renuka Chowdhury, K Rahman Khan, Derek O Brien, Javed Ahmad, Majeed Memon, KK Ragesh, D Raja. The names of MPs proposed mostly belong to the Congress, AIADMK, SP, BSP, DMK, NCP, CPI(M), CPI parties. Name of 17 Rajya Sabha MPs including Renuka Chowdhury, K Rahman Khan, Derek O Brien, Javed Ahmad, Majeed Memon, KK Ragesh, D Raja proposed to be members of Select Committee in the notice sent by Congress' Anand Sharma #TripleTalaqBill pic.twitter.com/aExOfiFMnL — ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018 × The Opposition today demanded that the Triple Talaq bill should be sent to the Select Committee for modifications of certain provisions. Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had tabled the bill in Rajya Sabha. Within few hours of tabling the bill, the Upper House was disrupted due to Opposition's demand of sending the bill to Select Committee.

Triple Talaq Bill: Congress leader Anand Sharma proposes names for Select Committee members

<p>The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017, popularly known as the Triple Talaq Bill, which has been tabled today in the Rajya Sabha for its consideration and clearance, has generated a lot of heat in the political and the media space over the past few days.&nbsp; The bill, which is being touted as the most progressive legislation for the emancipation of Muslim Women in India, is also one of the most polarising one within the community where it divides the population in nearly two halves broadly along the line of the sex of the members. While most of the women, including the All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board (AIMWPLB), are supporting the bill, the men including the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) are pitted against it.</p>

<p>The AIMPLB came up with a resolution opposing the Bill where it termed the legislation to be &ldquo;against the welfare of Muslim women at large&rdquo; and believed that &ldquo;it shall harm the interest of Muslim Women and the family&rdquo; because in its opinion, the Bill fails to take into consideration the &ldquo;adverse consequences of the proposed law and welfare of the women and children pursuant to a &lsquo;non effective&rsquo; Talaq.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is pertinent to mention that the Bill has been conceived in the aftermath of a decision by the Supreme Court in August this year in the famous case of Shaiara Bano vs Union of India &amp; Others, wherein the Court had set aside the practice of Instant Triple Talaq among the Muslims as unconstitutional. While putting forth the Bill, a statement of &lsquo;Objects and Reasons of the Bill&rsquo; was also brought up by the Ministry of Law that explained, &ldquo;There is a need for State action to give effect to the order of the Supreme Court and to redress the grievances of victims of illegal divorce. In order to prevent the continued harassment being meted out to the hapless married Muslim women due to Talaq-e-Biddat, urgent suitable legislation is necessary to give some relief to them&hellip;The legislation would help in ensuring the larger Constitutional goals of gender justice and gender equality of married Muslim women and would help subserve their fundamental rights of non-discrimination and empowerment.&rdquo;</p>

<p>However, the legislation is a must and its enactment urgent. The government revealed that even after the Supreme Court set aside instant triple talaq in August this year, the practice didn&rsquo;t stop and more than 60 cases of instant triple talaq were reported in the country since then. Hence, its clear that such a practice isn&rsquo;t going to stop unless a strong law is put into place.</p>

<p>Shaista Amber, the President of the AIMWPLB had led a Muslim Women delegation to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to press for a bill on August 8 this year. After the meeting, she had told the media, &ldquo;We proposed punishment and penalty for those who do not give equal right to women. I am thankful to the government for acting on the issue. AIMPLB is opposing the bill and abusing the rights of women.&rdquo; While launching a broadside against the AIMPLB, she had fulminated - &ldquo;Why don&rsquo;t they (The AIMPLB members) consider Muslim women as equal partners? Why do they want to create a communal feeling among the Muslims when the society is going for reforms? Why are they saying the bill would promote interference in religious matters? Why do they want to protect such men who use women and abandon them at their will?&rdquo;</p>

<p>The stand of the AIMPLB is terribly flawed on the matter and they no longer carry a locus standi on the proposed Bill from moral as well as a legal perspective.</p>

<p>First, the AIMPLB was an opposing party in the Shaira Bano case in the Supreme Court, which had demolished its arguments on Triple Talaq issue. The AIMPLB had constantly opposed the government&#39;s stand in the Triple Talaq case and hence, they&#39;re now a defeated party. Thus, they carry no legal and moral standing to dictate the government on the provisions of the proposed law anymore.</p>

<p>Second, their opposition to criminalising the offenders of Triple Talaq or suggestion to reduce the punishment terms is not logical. The whole idea to put forth this legislation is to stop instant triple talaq and the same can&#39;t happen unless a strong deterrence is put into place. The said deterrence can happen only through a cognizable and non-bailable provision. Anything below that would defeat the purpose. The Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987 not only criminalized Sati system but had also provided for life imprisonment or death penalty for the abettors of the crime which served the required deterrence in Sati cases. Hence, any diluted punishment wouldn&#39;t solve the purpose.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Thirdly, by opposing the inclusion of &quot;or any similar forms of talaq&quot; in the definition of the Bill, the AIMPLB is trying nothing but attempting a back door legitimacy plan for other similar provisions of Talaq, like Talaq-e-bain, which is even more dangerous.</p>

<p>Talaq-e-bain occurs when a husband speaks to his wife about his intention to no longer live with her, though not clearly speaking the word &lsquo;Talaq&rsquo;; the husband may express his intention with or without the motive of Talaq. If the intention to live separate was made without the motive of Talaq, the same will not happen. However, if the intention was said with the motive of Talaq, the same will be considered done and the wife will become haram to her husband from that point onward. Talaq-e-bain is instant and it doesn&rsquo;t require a man to speak the word &lsquo;talaq&rsquo; thrice.</p>

<p>Talaq-e-bain is also not supported by Quran or any major Hadith and if the same is left unstopped, it would give a leeway to Muslims to divorce their women instantly without explicitly saying &#39;talaq&#39; three times, and thus escaping the noose of the proposed law. It&#39;s important to see through the AIMPLB game plan.</p>

<p>Thus, if the government wants to achieve the goal of ensuring gender justice and emancipating the Muslim women from the oppression of their men then it&rsquo;s imperative that all non-Quranic forms of Talaq practices must be outlawed and strong punitive measures must be legislated to act as an effective deterrence against such misogynistic practices.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><i>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).</i></p>


The AIMPLB carry no legal and moral standing to dictate the government on the provisions of the proposed law anymore

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017, popularly known as the Triple Talaq Bill, which has been tabled today in the Rajya Sabha for its consideration and clearance, has generated a lot of heat in the political and the media space over the past few days. The bill, which is being touted as the most progressive legislation for the emancipation of Muslim Women in India, is also one of the most polarising one within the community where it divides the population in nearly two halves broadly along the line of the sex of the members. While most of the women, including the All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board (AIMWPLB), are supporting the bill, the men including the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) are pitted against it. The AIMPLB came up with a resolution opposing the Bill where it termed the legislation to be “against the welfare of Muslim women at large” and believed that “it shall harm the interest of Muslim Women and the family” because in its opinion, the Bill fails to take into consideration the “adverse consequences of the proposed law and welfare of the women and children pursuant to a ‘non effective’ Talaq.” It is pertinent to mention that the Bill has been conceived in the aftermath of a decision by the Supreme Court in August this year in the famous case of Shaiara Bano vs Union of India & Others, wherein the Court had set aside the practice of Instant Triple Talaq among the Muslims as unconstitutional. While putting forth the Bill, a statement of ‘Objects and Reasons of the Bill’ was also brought up by the Ministry of Law that explained, “There is a need for State action to give effect to the order of the Supreme Court and to redress the grievances of victims of illegal divorce. In order to prevent the continued harassment being meted out to the hapless married Muslim women due to Talaq-e-Biddat, urgent suitable legislation is necessary to give some relief to them…The legislation would help in ensuring the larger Constitutional goals of gender justice and gender equality of married Muslim women and would help subserve their fundamental rights of non-discrimination and empowerment.” However, the legislation is a must and its enactment urgent. The government revealed that even after the Supreme Court set aside instant triple talaq in August this year, the practice didn’t stop and more than 60 cases of instant triple talaq were reported in the country since then. Hence, its clear that such a practice isn’t going to stop unless a strong law is put into place. Shaista Amber, the President of the AIMWPLB had led a Muslim Women delegation to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to press for a bill on August 8 this year. After the meeting, she had told the media, “We proposed punishment and penalty for those who do not give equal right to women. I am thankful to the government for acting on the issue. AIMPLB is opposing the bill and abusing the rights of women.” While launching a broadside against the AIMPLB, she had fulminated - “Why don’t they (The AIMPLB members) consider Muslim women as equal partners? Why do they want to create a communal feeling among the Muslims when the society is going for reforms? Why are they saying the bill would promote interference in religious matters? Why do they want to protect such men who use women and abandon them at their will?” The stand of the AIMPLB is terribly flawed on the matter and they no longer carry a locus standi on the proposed Bill from moral as well as a legal perspective. First, the AIMPLB was an opposing party in the Shaira Bano case in the Supreme Court, which had demolished its arguments on Triple Talaq issue. The AIMPLB had constantly opposed the government's stand in the Triple Talaq case and hence, they're now a defeated party. Thus, they carry no legal and moral standing to dictate the government on the provisions of the proposed law anymore. Second, their opposition to criminalising the offenders of Triple Talaq or suggestion to reduce the punishment terms is not logical. The whole idea to put forth this legislation is to stop instant triple talaq and the same can't happen unless a strong deterrence is put into place. The said deterrence can happen only through a cognizable and non-bailable provision. Anything below that would defeat the purpose. The Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987 not only criminalized Sati system but had also provided for life imprisonment or death penalty for the abettors of the crime which served the required deterrence in Sati cases. Hence, any diluted punishment wouldn't solve the purpose. Thirdly, by opposing the inclusion of "or any similar forms of talaq" in the definition of the Bill, the AIMPLB is trying nothing but attempting a back door legitimacy plan for other similar provisions of Talaq, like Talaq-e-bain, which is even more dangerous. Talaq-e-bain occurs when a husband speaks to his wife about his intention to no longer live with her, though not clearly speaking the word ‘Talaq’; the husband may express his intention with or without the motive of Talaq. If the intention to live separate was made without the motive of Talaq, the same will not happen. However, if the intention was said with the motive of Talaq, the same will be considered done and the wife will become haram to her husband from that point onward. Talaq-e-bain is instant and it doesn’t require a man to speak the word ‘talaq’ thrice. Talaq-e-bain is also not supported by Quran or any major Hadith and if the same is left unstopped, it would give a leeway to Muslims to divorce their women instantly without explicitly saying 'talaq' three times, and thus escaping the noose of the proposed law. It's important to see through the AIMPLB game plan. Thus, if the government wants to achieve the goal of ensuring gender justice and emancipating the Muslim women from the oppression of their men then it’s imperative that all non-Quranic forms of Talaq practices must be outlawed and strong punitive measures must be legislated to act as an effective deterrence against such misogynistic practices. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

Opinion: Why objections of AIMPLB on Triple Talaq is not valid

<p>Disruptions followed as soon as the triple talaq Bill was tabled in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. The Speaker adjourned&nbsp;the Upper House&nbsp;till 11 am Thursday within a few hours as the Opposition pressed to the government&nbsp;to send the bill to the Select&nbsp;Committee.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11 am, tomorrow after continued pandemonium over <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBill</a> <a href="https://t.co/U5nKC0BSG9">pic.twitter.com/U5nKC0BSG9</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/948500923709456384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>As Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad tabled the bill in Rajya Sabha, Congress immediately moved a resolution to send the bill to the standing committee.</p>

<p>Finance minister Arun Jaitley said it was an &quot;invalid resolution&quot;.</p>

<p>Jaitley asserted that the motion should have been submitted a day earlier, adding that a motion has to be given at least 24 hours in advance.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The house is taken by surprise that a motion is suddenly moved, it has not been submitted a day before. The motion has to be give at least 24 hours in advance: Arun Jaitley on Anand Sharma&#39;s notice <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBill</a> <a href="https://t.co/GbQZw3Nskk">pic.twitter.com/GbQZw3Nskk</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/948494898117754881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The whole country is watching that in the other house you supported the bill and in this house you are trying to derail the bill: Arun Jaitley in Rajya Sabha <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBill</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/948495761234251778?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Jaitley said that the motion should not be referred to Select Committee. Citing urgency, he said that the legislature must act with a sense of responsibility.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Reason why it should not be referred (to select committee) is that when the practice was declared unconstitutional, 2 of the judges held it as unfair &amp; used their extraordinary power to suspend it for 6 months, which expire on 22 Feb: Arun Jaitley in RS <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBill</a> 1/2</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/948497931883048960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Judges said, &#39;we are now suspending it for 6 months &amp; we beseech all parties, therefore within this period come out with apt legislation.&#39; So, there is an urgency that country expects from Parl. Legislature must act with sense of responsibility: Jaitley in RS <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBill</a> 2/2</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/948498346775162880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The bill was earlier presented by Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBill</a> tabled in Rajya Sabha by Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/948491264869019648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>While addressing the Rajya Sabha, Ravi Shankar Prasad cited a case of the latest victim of triple talaq in Moradabad.</p>

<p>He said,&quot;Even after passage of Triple Talaq in Lok Sabha the practice is continuing, a woman in Moradabad was given triple talaq over dowry.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Even after passage of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBill</a> in Lok Sabha the practice is continuing, a woman in Moradabad was given <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaq?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaq</a> over dowry: Law Minister RS Prasad in Rajya Sabha <a href="https://t.co/otec2iq6GE">pic.twitter.com/otec2iq6GE</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/948491918429716480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Pandemonium in Rajya Sabha after tabling of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBill</a> <a href="https://t.co/5bp7GZgPy4">pic.twitter.com/5bp7GZgPy4</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/948492825452138497?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017, seeks to criminalise triple talaq.</p>

<p>The Congress, Left, and the AIADMK and DMK have supported the bill but have called for the modifications of certain provisions, claiming the bill could upset the sentiments of Muslim women.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Left parties, which have had consultations with the Congress in the past week, have asked that the bill &quot;be referred to a select committee&quot;.</p>


While addressing the Rajya Sabha, Ravi Shankar Prasad cited a case of a woman in Moradabad who is the latest victim of Triple Talaq

Disruptions followed as soon as the triple talaq Bill was tabled in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. The Speaker adjourned the Upper House till 11 am Thursday within a few hours as the Opposition pressed to the government to send the bill to the Select Committee. Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11 am, tomorrow after continued pandemonium over #TripleTalaqBill pic.twitter.com/U5nKC0BSG9 — ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018 × As Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad tabled the bill in Rajya Sabha, Congress immediately moved a resolution to send the bill to the standing committee. Finance minister Arun Jaitley said it was an "invalid resolution". Jaitley asserted that the motion should have been submitted a day earlier, adding that a motion has to be given at least 24 hours in advance. The house is taken by surprise that a motion is suddenly moved, it has not been submitted a day before. The motion has to be give at least 24 hours in advance: Arun Jaitley on Anand Sharma's notice #TripleTalaqBill pic.twitter.com/GbQZw3Nskk — ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018 × The whole country is watching that in the other house you supported the bill and in this house you are trying to derail the bill: Arun Jaitley in Rajya Sabha #TripleTalaqBill — ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018 × Jaitley said that the motion should not be referred to Select Committee. Citing urgency, he said that the legislature must act with a sense of responsibility. Reason why it should not be referred (to select committee) is that when the practice was declared unconstitutional, 2 of the judges held it as unfair & used their extraordinary power to suspend it for 6 months, which expire on 22 Feb: Arun Jaitley in RS #TripleTalaqBill 1/2 — ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018 × Judges said, 'we are now suspending it for 6 months & we beseech all parties, therefore within this period come out with apt legislation.' So, there is an urgency that country expects from Parl. Legislature must act with sense of responsibility: Jaitley in RS #TripleTalaqBill 2/2 — ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018 × The bill was earlier presented by Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. #TripleTalaqBill tabled in Rajya Sabha by Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad — ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018 × While addressing the Rajya Sabha, Ravi Shankar Prasad cited a case of the latest victim of triple talaq in Moradabad. He said,"Even after passage of Triple Talaq in Lok Sabha the practice is continuing, a woman in Moradabad was given triple talaq over dowry." Even after passage of #TripleTalaqBill in Lok Sabha the practice is continuing, a woman in Moradabad was given #TripleTalaq over dowry: Law Minister RS Prasad in Rajya Sabha pic.twitter.com/otec2iq6GE — ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018 × Pandemonium in Rajya Sabha after tabling of #TripleTalaqBill pic.twitter.com/5bp7GZgPy4 — ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018 × The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017, seeks to criminalise triple talaq. The Congress, Left, and the AIADMK and DMK have supported the bill but have called for the modifications of certain provisions, claiming the bill could upset the sentiments of Muslim women. The Left parties, which have had consultations with the Congress in the past week, have asked that the bill "be referred to a select committee".

NDA tables triple talaq bill, Opposition disrupts Rajya Sabha

<p>Even as the Aam Admi Party(AAP) <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/known-kejriwal-for-12-years-cannot-imagine-him-taking-bribe-kumar-vishwas-15305">released its list of candidates</a> for Rajya Sabha, national executive member Kumar Vishwas took a dig at Kejriwal declaring he did not get any help from the Delhi chief minister.</p>

<p>The ruling party in<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/aap-slays-party-gremlins-kumar-vishwas-made-in-charge-of-rajasthan-15194"> Delhi announced three nominees </a>for the Rajya Sabha. Sanjay Singh, businessman Sushil Gupta and chartered accountant N.D. Gupta.</p>

<p>However, AAP leader Kumar Vishwas said the Delhi chief minister had told him that he did not even agree with himself.</p>

<p>&nbsp;&#39;In the form of punishment, I have been given an award for speaking the truth,&#39; Vishwas said.</p>

<p>&quot;I did not get any help,&quot;&nbsp;he said, adding,&quot;I did not get any help, I am not going to come back because of this.&quot;</p>

<p>Taking a swipe at the BJP, Vishwas said the main party will not be able to do any harm to the nation.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Kumar Vishwas talks to the media after announcement of AAP&#39;s Rajya Sabha nominees, says, &#39;In the form of punishment, I have been given an award for speaking the truth.&#39; <a href="https://t.co/xGoxpKvXZg">pic.twitter.com/xGoxpKvXZg</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/948479223903133696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Taking a swipe at the BJP, Vishwas said the main party will not be able to do any harm to the nation.

Even as the Aam Admi Party(AAP) released its list of candidates for Rajya Sabha, national executive member Kumar Vishwas took a dig at Kejriwal declaring he did not get any help from the Delhi chief minister. The ruling party in Delhi announced three nominees for the Rajya Sabha. Sanjay Singh, businessman Sushil Gupta and chartered accountant N.D. Gupta. However, AAP leader Kumar Vishwas said the Delhi chief minister had told him that he did not even agree with himself. 'In the form of punishment, I have been given an award for speaking the truth,' Vishwas said. "I did not get any help," he said, adding,"I did not get any help, I am not going to come back because of this." Taking a swipe at the BJP, Vishwas said the main party will not be able to do any harm to the nation. #WATCH: Kumar Vishwas talks to the media after announcement of AAP's Rajya Sabha nominees, says, 'In the form of punishment, I have been given an award for speaking the truth.' pic.twitter.com/xGoxpKvXZg — ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018 ×

AAP announces Rajya Sabha candidates, Kumar Vishwas unhappy

<p>The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017 -- or the triple talaq bill -- will be tabled in the Rajya Sabha today.</p>

<p>The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha last Thursday but various opposition parties, including those friendly to the ruling BJP, have raised objections to it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The opposition parties say the bill, while supporting it in large part, should be referred to a select committee so as to be able to further understand any lacunae in it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The parties say the bill turns a civil issue into a criminal one by recommending a jail term extending up to three years for people who continue to use the practice.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The practice of triple talaq, which allows a man to divorce his wife by saying the word &quot;talaq&quot; (divorce) three times,&nbsp;was recently struck down as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP however has so far been hopeful that the bill will be passed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ishrat-jahan-triple-talaq-petitioner-joins-bjp-28214" target="_blank">Triple talaq petitioner Ishrat Jahan joins BJP, says will work in women&#39;s wing</a></p>

<p>&quot;I have complete conviction that Congress will support the Bill the same way it did in Lok Sabha, or else the minority women will not spare them,&quot; Union Minister Giriraj Singh told ANI on Monday.</p>

<p>Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar echoed the same conviction.</p>

<p>&quot;I believe all our office-bearers will talk to all parties, and all parties will understand the problem faced by our aggrieved sisters. This bill, I believe, will be passed in the Rajya Sabha,&quot; he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP has issued a three-line whip to its MPs to be present in Parliament to ensure passage of the bill.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Commentators say noisy scenes are expected in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.&nbsp;</p>


The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha last Thursday but various opposition parties -- including those friendly to the ruling BJP -- have raised objections to it

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017 -- or the triple talaq bill -- will be tabled in the Rajya Sabha today. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha last Thursday but various opposition parties, including those friendly to the ruling BJP, have raised objections to it. The opposition parties say the bill, while supporting it in large part, should be referred to a select committee so as to be able to further understand any lacunae in it. The parties say the bill turns a civil issue into a criminal one by recommending a jail term extending up to three years for people who continue to use the practice. The practice of triple talaq, which allows a man to divorce his wife by saying the word "talaq" (divorce) three times, was recently struck down as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. The BJP however has so far been hopeful that the bill will be passed. Also read: Triple talaq petitioner Ishrat Jahan joins BJP, says will work in women's wing "I have complete conviction that Congress will support the Bill the same way it did in Lok Sabha, or else the minority women will not spare them," Union Minister Giriraj Singh told ANI on Monday. Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar echoed the same conviction. "I believe all our office-bearers will talk to all parties, and all parties will understand the problem faced by our aggrieved sisters. This bill, I believe, will be passed in the Rajya Sabha," he said. The BJP has issued a three-line whip to its MPs to be present in Parliament to ensure passage of the bill. Commentators say noisy scenes are expected in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

Triple talaq bill to be tabled in Rajya Sabha today

<p>Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley hit out at the Congress for opposing the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/triple-talaq-bill-tabled-in-rajya-sabha-28436" target="_blank">Triple Talaq Bill</a>.</p>

<p>Jaitley said that the support that the Congress party extended for the Triple Talaq bill in Lok Sabha was a sham. He further blamed the party for disrupting the Upper House and not letting an end to the &quot;injustice&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said &quot; It is clear that the Congress Party is opposing the Triple Talaq Bill. The support they extended in Lok Sabha was a sham. Today was a golden moment for the House to end the injustice, but because of Congress it could not happen.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It is clear that the Congress Party is opposing the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBill</a>. The support they extended in Lok Sabha was a sham. Today was a golden moment for the House to end the injustice, but because of Congress it could not happen : Union Minister Arun Jaitley <a href="https://t.co/6VCnKq8or3">pic.twitter.com/6VCnKq8or3</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/948528094943432705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Earlier in the Upper House of Parliament, Jaitley called the opposition&#39;s demand of Standing Committee as &quot;invalid Resolution&quot;. He said that such motion should be given 24 hours in advance.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The house is taken by surprise that a motion is suddenly moved, it has not been submitted a day before. The motion has to be give at least 24 hours in advance: Arun Jaitley on Anand Sharma&#39;s notice <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBill</a> <a href="https://t.co/GbQZw3Nskk">pic.twitter.com/GbQZw3Nskk</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/948494898117754881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The whole country is watching that in the other house you supported the bill and in this house you are trying to derail the bill: Arun Jaitley in Rajya Sabha <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBill</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/948495761234251778?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>He also gave reasons for why the bill should not be referred to the Select Committee.</p>

<p>Referring to the six-month injunction to the bill he said that the country expects an urgency from the Parliament. He added that the Legislature must act with a sense of responsibility.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Reason why it should not be referred (to select committee) is that when the practice was declared unconstitutional, 2 of the judges held it as unfair &amp; used their extraordinary power to suspend it for 6 months, which expire on 22 Feb: Arun Jaitley in RS <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBill</a> 1/2</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/948497931883048960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Judges said, &#39;we are now suspending it for 6 months &amp; we beseech all parties, therefore within this period come out with apt legislation.&#39; So, there is an urgency that country expects from Parl. Legislature must act with sense of responsibility: Jaitley in RS <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBill</a> 2/2</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/948498346775162880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Congress leader Kapil Sibal responded to Arun Jaitley.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">He (Arun Jaitley) referred to judgement of SC, I want to correct the record because I appeared in the case on behalf of Muslim Personal Law Board. What he said was in context of the minority judgement: Kapil Sibal, Congress in Rajya Sabha <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBill</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/948499858817613826?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Sibal later said that they agree with the bill, but not with the criminalisation.</p>

<p>He said &quot; We are for this bill, as SC deemed the practice as unconstitutional and that is what the bill says, we agree with it, but when it comes to criminalization, neither minority nor majority judgement (of SC) mentioned it, that is what we oppose.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We are for this bill, as SC deemed the practice as unconstitutional &amp; that is what the bill says, we agree with it, but when it comes to criminalization, neither minority nor majority judgement (of SC) mentioned it, that is what we oppose: Kapil Sibal, Congress <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBill</a> <a href="https://t.co/Th6dkvfmya">pic.twitter.com/Th6dkvfmya</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/948556188848828416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad cited a recent incident of Triple Talaq. He said Congress which supported the Triple Talaq in Lok Sabha took a completely divergent view in Rajya Sabha. He added that the Congress supported the bill in Lok Sabha because&nbsp;they were in less number.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Even y&#39;day, triple talaq happened in UP. Congress which supported <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBill</a> in Lok Sabha, took a completely divergent view in Rajya Sabha. They supported it in LS in compulsion since they were less in no. Let the country know Cong&#39; hypocrisy &amp; double standard: RS Prasad <a href="https://t.co/9UgXx3dBby">pic.twitter.com/9UgXx3dBby</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/948508721931370496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Trinamool Congress MP Derek O Brien referred to the bill as &quot;faulty&quot; and&nbsp;said that the bill should be consulted with stakeholders.</p>

<p>He said that &quot; We are all for this bill, it is a faulty bill. No womens&#39; groups, stakeholders were consulted. All we ask for is that talk to stakeholders&quot;.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We are all for this bill, it is a faulty bill. No womens&#39; groups, stakeholders were consulted. All we ask for is that talk to all stakeholders: Trinamool Congress MP Derek O&#39; Brien <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBill</a> <a href="https://t.co/7Dj8GAeD8y">pic.twitter.com/7Dj8GAeD8y</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/948512112350916608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>SP leader Naresh Agrawal doubted on the women who were present in Rajya Sabha to observe the tabling of the bill.</p>

<p>He said &quot; What is the guarantee&nbsp;that the women present (in the Rajya Sabha to observe tabling of Triple Talaq) were Muslim. Did you see? Who knows they might be members of BJP <em>Mahila&nbsp;morcha</em>?</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Iski kya gurantee hai ki woh Muslim thi? Aapne dekha? Kya pata BJP ke mahila morcha ki sadasya hon?: Naresh Agrawal, SP on Muslim women who were present in Rajya Sabha to observe tabling of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBil?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBil</a> <a href="https://t.co/Pz1Gl2zns2">pic.twitter.com/Pz1Gl2zns2</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/948514185113100289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said &quot;This government is trying to mislead Muslim women and the general public,&quot;&nbsp;&quot;What are they giving to Muslim women. They are merely projecting themselves as their &#39;messiah&#39;, but they are in fact only trying to befool the Muslim women,&quot; &quot;When the husband of the Muslim woman goes to jail as per the law, who will run the family. We wanted the government to have provisions for the welfare of women.</p>

<p>West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee said &quot;We did not oppose the triple talaq bill because we are for women. I know many Muslims who abide by the law. This bill, brought by the BJP government, is a defective one. &quot;Instead of protecting the Muslim women, it will cause them harm. The BJP is playing petty politics with the bill,&quot;.</p>

<p>The Triple Talaq bill was tabled in the Rajya Sabha today by&nbsp;Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.</p>

<p>Disruptions followed as soon as the Bill was tabled leading to&nbsp;adjournment of the Upper House&nbsp;till 11 am Thursday.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The Triple Talaq bill was tabled in the Rajya Sabha today by?Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley hit out at the Congress for opposing the Triple Talaq Bill. Jaitley said that the support that the Congress party extended for the Triple Talaq bill in Lok Sabha was a sham. He further blamed the party for disrupting the Upper House and not letting an end to the "injustice". He said " It is clear that the Congress Party is opposing the Triple Talaq Bill. The support they extended in Lok Sabha was a sham. Today was a golden moment for the House to end the injustice, but because of Congress it could not happen." It is clear that the Congress Party is opposing the #TripleTalaqBill. The support they extended in Lok Sabha was a sham. Today was a golden moment for the House to end the injustice, but because of Congress it could not happen : Union Minister Arun Jaitley pic.twitter.com/6VCnKq8or3 — ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018 × Earlier in the Upper House of Parliament, Jaitley called the opposition's demand of Standing Committee as "invalid Resolution". He said that such motion should be given 24 hours in advance. The house is taken by surprise that a motion is suddenly moved, it has not been submitted a day before. The motion has to be give at least 24 hours in advance: Arun Jaitley on Anand Sharma's notice #TripleTalaqBill pic.twitter.com/GbQZw3Nskk — ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018 × The whole country is watching that in the other house you supported the bill and in this house you are trying to derail the bill: Arun Jaitley in Rajya Sabha #TripleTalaqBill — ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018 × He also gave reasons for why the bill should not be referred to the Select Committee. Referring to the six-month injunction to the bill he said that the country expects an urgency from the Parliament. He added that the Legislature must act with a sense of responsibility. Reason why it should not be referred (to select committee) is that when the practice was declared unconstitutional, 2 of the judges held it as unfair & used their extraordinary power to suspend it for 6 months, which expire on 22 Feb: Arun Jaitley in RS #TripleTalaqBill 1/2 — ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018 × Judges said, 'we are now suspending it for 6 months & we beseech all parties, therefore within this period come out with apt legislation.' So, there is an urgency that country expects from Parl. Legislature must act with sense of responsibility: Jaitley in RS #TripleTalaqBill 2/2 — ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018 × Congress leader Kapil Sibal responded to Arun Jaitley. He (Arun Jaitley) referred to judgement of SC, I want to correct the record because I appeared in the case on behalf of Muslim Personal Law Board. What he said was in context of the minority judgement: Kapil Sibal, Congress in Rajya Sabha #TripleTalaqBill — ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018 × Sibal later said that they agree with the bill, but not with the criminalisation. He said " We are for this bill, as SC deemed the practice as unconstitutional and that is what the bill says, we agree with it, but when it comes to criminalization, neither minority nor majority judgement (of SC) mentioned it, that is what we oppose." We are for this bill, as SC deemed the practice as unconstitutional & that is what the bill says, we agree with it, but when it comes to criminalization, neither minority nor majority judgement (of SC) mentioned it, that is what we oppose: Kapil Sibal, Congress #TripleTalaqBill pic.twitter.com/Th6dkvfmya — ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018 × Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad cited a recent incident of Triple Talaq. He said Congress which supported the Triple Talaq in Lok Sabha took a completely divergent view in Rajya Sabha. He added that the Congress supported the bill in Lok Sabha because they were in less number. Even y'day, triple talaq happened in UP. Congress which supported #TripleTalaqBill in Lok Sabha, took a completely divergent view in Rajya Sabha. They supported it in LS in compulsion since they were less in no. Let the country know Cong' hypocrisy & double standard: RS Prasad pic.twitter.com/9UgXx3dBby — ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018 × Trinamool Congress MP Derek O Brien referred to the bill as "faulty" and said that the bill should be consulted with stakeholders. He said that " We are all for this bill, it is a faulty bill. No womens' groups, stakeholders were consulted. All we ask for is that talk to stakeholders". We are all for this bill, it is a faulty bill. No womens' groups, stakeholders were consulted. All we ask for is that talk to all stakeholders: Trinamool Congress MP Derek O' Brien #TripleTalaqBill pic.twitter.com/7Dj8GAeD8y — ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018 × SP leader Naresh Agrawal doubted on the women who were present in Rajya Sabha to observe the tabling of the bill. He said " What is the guarantee that the women present (in the Rajya Sabha to observe tabling of Triple Talaq) were Muslim. Did you see? Who knows they might be members of BJP Mahila morcha? Iski kya gurantee hai ki woh Muslim thi? Aapne dekha? Kya pata BJP ke mahila morcha ki sadasya hon?: Naresh Agrawal, SP on Muslim women who were present in Rajya Sabha to observe tabling of #TripleTalaqBil pic.twitter.com/Pz1Gl2zns2 — ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2018 × The leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said "This government is trying to mislead Muslim women and the general public," "What are they giving to Muslim women. They are merely projecting themselves as their 'messiah', but they are in fact only trying to befool the Muslim women," "When the husband of the Muslim woman goes to jail as per the law, who will run the family. We wanted the government to have provisions for the welfare of women. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee said "We did not oppose the triple talaq bill because we are for women. I know many Muslims who abide by the law. This bill, brought by the BJP government, is a defective one. "Instead of protecting the Muslim women, it will cause them harm. The BJP is playing petty politics with the bill,". The Triple Talaq bill was tabled in the Rajya Sabha today by Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. Disruptions followed as soon as the Bill was tabled leading to adjournment of the Upper House till 11 am Thursday.

Government, Opposition spar over triple talaq

<p>The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017, seeking to criminalise triple talaq, will be tabled in the Rajya Sabha today.</p>

<p>The Congress, Left, and the AIADMK and DMK have supported the bill but have called for the modifications of certain provisions, claiming the bill could upset the sentiments of Muslim women.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Left parties, which have had consultations with the Congress in the past week, have asked that the bill &quot;be referred to a select committee&quot;.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">BJP issues a three line whip for all its Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs asking them to remain present in the Parliament on Jan 2nd and 3rd for passage of several crucial bills during the period <a href="https://t.co/nXbKeUtcb5">pic.twitter.com/nXbKeUtcb5</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/948015003273068544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The contentious bill had garnered a mixed response from all parties when it was introduced in the lower house but it was passed after the house rejected a string of amendments moved by various opposition members.</p>

<p>The opposition parties have expressed reservations over the inclusion of a jail term -- extending to three years -- for people who continue to use triple talaq.</p>

<p>They have said the jail term may be excessive and some Muslim organisations like&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/aimplb-says-will-request-pm-to-withhold-withdraw-triple-talaq-bill-27594">All India Muslim Personal Law Board</a>&nbsp;(AIMPLB) have said the Supreme Court ruling striking down triple talaq as unconstitutional is against Sharia law.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP however is hopeful the bill will find passage.</p>

<p>&quot;I have complete conviction that Congress will support the Bill the same way it did in Lok Sabha, or else the minority women will not spare them,&quot; Union Minister Giriraj Singh told ANI on Monday.</p>

<p>Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar echoed the same conviction.</p>

<p>&quot;I believe all our office-bearers will talk to all parties, and all parties will understand the problem faced by our aggrieved sisters. This bill, I believe, will be passed in the Rajya Sabha,&quot;</p>

<p>All eyes are on the Congress for the party&#39;s stance may decide the fate of the bill in the upper house. The Congress has also asked for the bill to be referred to a standing committee so that its clauses could be put under the microscope.&nbsp;</p>


The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha last week

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017, seeking to criminalise triple talaq, will be tabled in the Rajya Sabha today. The Congress, Left, and the AIADMK and DMK have supported the bill but have called for the modifications of certain provisions, claiming the bill could upset the sentiments of Muslim women. The Left parties, which have had consultations with the Congress in the past week, have asked that the bill "be referred to a select committee". BJP issues a three line whip for all its Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs asking them to remain present in the Parliament on Jan 2nd and 3rd for passage of several crucial bills during the period pic.twitter.com/nXbKeUtcb5 — ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2018 × The contentious bill had garnered a mixed response from all parties when it was introduced in the lower house but it was passed after the house rejected a string of amendments moved by various opposition members. The opposition parties have expressed reservations over the inclusion of a jail term -- extending to three years -- for people who continue to use triple talaq. They have said the jail term may be excessive and some Muslim organisations like All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) have said the Supreme Court ruling striking down triple talaq as unconstitutional is against Sharia law. The BJP however is hopeful the bill will find passage. "I have complete conviction that Congress will support the Bill the same way it did in Lok Sabha, or else the minority women will not spare them," Union Minister Giriraj Singh told ANI on Monday. Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar echoed the same conviction. "I believe all our office-bearers will talk to all parties, and all parties will understand the problem faced by our aggrieved sisters. This bill, I believe, will be passed in the Rajya Sabha," All eyes are on the Congress for the party's stance may decide the fate of the bill in the upper house. The Congress has also asked for the bill to be referred to a standing committee so that its clauses could be put under the microscope.

<p>The government today ruled out having a single rate for all commodities under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) saying items like food products have been placed at minimum taxation levels while luxury goods were in the higher categories.</p>

<p>During the Question Hour in Rajya Sabha, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said there were countries which had applied a uniform tax rate on all commodities but these were nations where the entire population was above the poverty line.</p>

<p>In India, food items have been placed in zero or the minimum slab while luxury items get taxed more, he said.</p>

<p>While the question of a single slab in India does not arise, the process of rationalisation would continue, he said.</p>

<p>Many items which were earlier in the 28 per cent bracket were brought into the 18 per cent bracket and this process of rationalisation would continue, the minister said.</p>

<p>He also said the GST council had formed a committee under the convenorship A B Pandey, chairman GSTN, to look into issues relating to the filing of returns and suggest a simpler mechanism to mitigate the compliance requirements for taxpayers.</p>

<p>&quot;The committee shall recommend changes to be made in the process of filing of returns in GST, including the threshold, if any, for quarterly filing,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>The report of the committee will be placed before the GST council for making recommendations on this issue, Jaitley said.</p>


Many items which were earlier in the 28 per cent bracket were brought into the 18 per cent bracket and this process of rationalisation would continue

The government today ruled out having a single rate for all commodities under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) saying items like food products have been placed at minimum taxation levels while luxury goods were in the higher categories. During the Question Hour in Rajya Sabha, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said there were countries which had applied a uniform tax rate on all commodities but these were nations where the entire population was above the poverty line. In India, food items have been placed in zero or the minimum slab while luxury items get taxed more, he said. While the question of a single slab in India does not arise, the process of rationalisation would continue, he said. Many items which were earlier in the 28 per cent bracket were brought into the 18 per cent bracket and this process of rationalisation would continue, the minister said. He also said the GST council had formed a committee under the convenorship A B Pandey, chairman GSTN, to look into issues relating to the filing of returns and suggest a simpler mechanism to mitigate the compliance requirements for taxpayers. "The committee shall recommend changes to be made in the process of filing of returns in GST, including the threshold, if any, for quarterly filing," he said. The report of the committee will be placed before the GST council for making recommendations on this issue, Jaitley said.

No single rate for all items under GST: Arun Jaitley

<p>The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) in the country have got more autonomy in their functioning with restricted government&#39;s role in their functioning and power to award degrees instead of diplomas to their graduates, according to a new law.</p>

<p>President Ram Nath Kovind gave assent to the Indian Institutes of Management Bill, 2017, on Sunday, and it has now become a law.</p>

<p>The new law, which was passed in the Lok Sabha in July, 2017 and by <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rajya-sabha-passes-bill-to-grant-more-autonomy-to-iims-27215">Rajya Sabha</a> on December 19 -- grants statutory powers to the IIMs in their running, including the appointment of directors and faculty members.</p>

<p>The Indian Institute of Management Act, 2017, gives the IIMs powers to award degrees instead of postgraduate diplomas.</p>

<p>&quot;The bill offers autonomy to these institutes. Through this bill we will remove all interference of the government, bureaucracy in the functioning of the IIMs. They will themselves decide how to manage and run these premier institutes,&quot; HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar had said while initiating a discussion on Rajya Sabha last month.</p>

<p>As per the provisions of the Act, the Board of Governors of each institute shall be the principal executive body comprising up to 19 members.</p>

<p>It will consist a chairperson from amongst eminent persons distinguished in the field of industry or education or science or technology or management or public administration, to be appointed by the board; one nominee of the central government having charge of the management education or his representative and a nominee of the respective state government or representative of such nominees, within whose territorial jurisdiction the institute is located.</p>

<p>The Board of Governors will appoint the Director of each IIM, who will be the Chief Executive Officer of the institute.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


IIMs in the country has got more autonomy in their functioning with restricted government's role in their functioning and power to award degrees instead of diplomas to their graduates, according to a new law

The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) in the country have got more autonomy in their functioning with restricted government's role in their functioning and power to award degrees instead of diplomas to their graduates, according to a new law. President Ram Nath Kovind gave assent to the Indian Institutes of Management Bill, 2017, on Sunday, and it has now become a law. The new law, which was passed in the Lok Sabha in July, 2017 and by Rajya Sabha on December 19 -- grants statutory powers to the IIMs in their running, including the appointment of directors and faculty members. The Indian Institute of Management Act, 2017, gives the IIMs powers to award degrees instead of postgraduate diplomas. "The bill offers autonomy to these institutes. Through this bill we will remove all interference of the government, bureaucracy in the functioning of the IIMs. They will themselves decide how to manage and run these premier institutes," HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar had said while initiating a discussion on Rajya Sabha last month. As per the provisions of the Act, the Board of Governors of each institute shall be the principal executive body comprising up to 19 members. It will consist a chairperson from amongst eminent persons distinguished in the field of industry or education or science or technology or management or public administration, to be appointed by the board; one nominee of the central government having charge of the management education or his representative and a nominee of the respective state government or representative of such nominees, within whose territorial jurisdiction the institute is located. The Board of Governors will appoint the Director of each IIM, who will be the Chief Executive Officer of the institute.

IIMs can now award degrees instead of diplomas

<p>Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu on Friday directed ministers to not use the term &#39;beg&#39; while tabling the listed official papers in the House.</p>

<p>Normally, the ministers say &quot;I beg to lay the papers ... listed against my name in today&#39;s order paper.&quot;</p>

<p>Naidu had on the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/dont-say-beg-we-are-a-free-nation-vice-president-venkaiah-naidu-to-ministers-26825">opening day of the Winter Session</a> of Parliament advised the ministers and members to shed the &quot;imperial mindset&quot; of using &quot;I beg to lay...&quot; the papers in the House.</p>

<p>He had said that instead they should say &quot;I rise to present the papers listed against my name...&quot;</p>

<p>However, today when Minister of State for Law and Justice P P Chaudhary used the term &quot;beg&quot; while laying papers, Naidu reminded him of the advise.</p>

<p>&quot;No begging please,&quot; Naidu told Chaudhary.</p>

<p>He said probably Chaudhary was not present when he had made the suggestion earlier and advised him to avoid using the word &quot;I beg&quot; while laying the papers.</p>

<p>&quot;Just rise to say you are laying papers,&quot; he told him and added &quot;it would be good if begging word is avoided.&quot;</p>

<p>No minister or member has used the word since Naidu&#39;s advise on December 15.</p>

<p>Chaudhary took the cue and did not use the word when he was called to lay a different set of papers shortly later.</p>

<p>During the paper tabling process, Naidu also chided members for speaking while seated.</p>

<p>He then went about conducting the Zero Hour as a strict headmaster reminding members not to deviate from their topics.</p>

<p>Mentioning an incident during Question Hour yesterday when B K Hariprasad of Congress used certain phrases, Naidu said he has decided to close the matter after the member met him this morning and said his remarks were made on the spur of the moment and he held the Chair in high esteem.</p>

<p>Incidentally, Hariprasad&#39;s remarks find no mention in the official record of the proceedings of yesterday.</p>


Naidu had on the opening day of the Winter Session advised the ministers and members to shed the "imperial mindset" of using "I beg to lay..." the papers in the House.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu on Friday directed ministers to not use the term 'beg' while tabling the listed official papers in the House. Normally, the ministers say "I beg to lay the papers ... listed against my name in today's order paper." Naidu had on the opening day of the Winter Session of Parliament advised the ministers and members to shed the "imperial mindset" of using "I beg to lay..." the papers in the House. He had said that instead they should say "I rise to present the papers listed against my name..." However, today when Minister of State for Law and Justice P P Chaudhary used the term "beg" while laying papers, Naidu reminded him of the advise. "No begging please," Naidu told Chaudhary. He said probably Chaudhary was not present when he had made the suggestion earlier and advised him to avoid using the word "I beg" while laying the papers. "Just rise to say you are laying papers," he told him and added "it would be good if begging word is avoided." No minister or member has used the word since Naidu's advise on December 15. Chaudhary took the cue and did not use the word when he was called to lay a different set of papers shortly later. During the paper tabling process, Naidu also chided members for speaking while seated. He then went about conducting the Zero Hour as a strict headmaster reminding members not to deviate from their topics. Mentioning an incident during Question Hour yesterday when B K Hariprasad of Congress used certain phrases, Naidu said he has decided to close the matter after the member met him this morning and said his remarks were made on the spur of the moment and he held the Chair in high esteem. Incidentally, Hariprasad's remarks find no mention in the official record of the proceedings of yesterday.

'No begging please': Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu reminds ministers

<p>External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj spoke on the Kulbhushan Jadhav affair in Parliament on Thursday.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Live: EAM Sushma Swaraj delivers statement on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KulbhushanJadhav?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KulbhushanJadhav</a> in Lok Sabha (Source- LSTV) <a href="https://t.co/2NR2ScAZhZ">https://t.co/2NR2ScAZhZ</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946269014136721409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>She said the Pakistani claim that there was a camera or a recording chip in Jadhav&#39;s wife&#39;s <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-hidden-camera-or-recording-chip-found-in-chetnas-shoe-27916" target="_blank">shoe</a> was absurd.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Swaraj said Jadhav&#39;s wife Chetna had taken two international flights in those same shoes to get from Mumbai to Islamabad.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Chetna had travelled from Mumbai to Dubai on an Air India flight, and from Dubai to Islamabad on an Emirates flight.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Swaraj said people might still believe Air India had helped Chetna, but asked how she could possibly have smuggled a hidden camera or a recording chip in her shoe onto an Emirates flight.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A meeting of a mother with her son &amp; a wife with her husband was turned into a propaganda tool by Pakistan :EAM Sushma Swaraj in Rajya Sabha <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KulbhushanJadhav?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KulbhushanJadhav</a> <a href="https://t.co/Z5M28mVBGZ">pic.twitter.com/Z5M28mVBGZ</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946256013379846144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Swaraj added that not only were Chetna&#39;s bindi and mangalsutra removed but also those of Jadhav&#39;s mother&#39;s Avanti.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Swaraj said that when Kulbhushan first saw his mother like that, without her mangalsutra and bindi, he thought something might have happened to his father.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Baba kaise hain?&quot; was the first thing Kulbhushan asked his mother, said Swaraj.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jadhav Ji&#39;s mother who only wears a saree was forced to wear salwar-kurta. Bindi, bangles &amp; mangalsutras of both mother &amp; wife were removed. Both the married women were made to like widows: EAM Sushma Swaraj in Rajya Sabha <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KulbhushanJadhav?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KulbhushanJadhav</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946258931176824832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Swaraj spoke in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She said the meeting was started in absence of the Indian deputy high commissioner accompanying Jadhav&#39;s wife and mother and that if he had seen how their clothes were changed, he would have registered a protest there and then.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She also took up the heckling of the women by the Pakistani media.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She said it had been specifically agreed by both sides that media would not be allowed to come close to the family but that the Pakistani press not only came close to them but also harassed and hurled taunts at them:&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Thank god they didn&#39;t say that there was a bomb in her shoes! If for security reasons she was made to take off shoes, they should have returned them when she was leaving but no, they had to commit some sort of cruelty,&quot;&nbsp;Swaraj said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kulbhushan-jadhav-parroted-script-given-by-pakistan-during-meeting-with-family-mother-foils-attempt-reports-27934" target="_blank">Kulbhushan Jadhav parroted script given by Pakistan during meeting with family, mother foils attempt</a></p>

<p>&quot;It was nothing like a humanitarian gesture. Human rights of the family members were violated again and again and an environment of fear was created for them,&quot; Swaraj added.&nbsp;</p>


Swaraj said Jadhav's wife Chetna took two international flights in those same shoes. How then could she have hidden a camera or a chip inside them?

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj spoke on the Kulbhushan Jadhav affair in Parliament on Thursday. #WATCH Live: EAM Sushma Swaraj delivers statement on #KulbhushanJadhav in Lok Sabha (Source- LSTV) https://t.co/2NR2ScAZhZ — ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2017 × She said the Pakistani claim that there was a camera or a recording chip in Jadhav's wife's shoe was absurd. Swaraj said Jadhav's wife Chetna had taken two international flights in those same shoes to get from Mumbai to Islamabad. Chetna had travelled from Mumbai to Dubai on an Air India flight, and from Dubai to Islamabad on an Emirates flight. Swaraj said people might still believe Air India had helped Chetna, but asked how she could possibly have smuggled a hidden camera or a recording chip in her shoe onto an Emirates flight. A meeting of a mother with her son & a wife with her husband was turned into a propaganda tool by Pakistan :EAM Sushma Swaraj in Rajya Sabha #KulbhushanJadhav pic.twitter.com/Z5M28mVBGZ — ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2017 × Swaraj added that not only were Chetna's bindi and mangalsutra removed but also those of Jadhav's mother's Avanti. Swaraj said that when Kulbhushan first saw his mother like that, without her mangalsutra and bindi, he thought something might have happened to his father. "Baba kaise hain?" was the first thing Kulbhushan asked his mother, said Swaraj. Jadhav Ji's mother who only wears a saree was forced to wear salwar-kurta. Bindi, bangles & mangalsutras of both mother & wife were removed. Both the married women were made to like widows: EAM Sushma Swaraj in Rajya Sabha #KulbhushanJadhav — ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2017 × Swaraj spoke in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. She said the meeting was started in absence of the Indian deputy high commissioner accompanying Jadhav's wife and mother and that if he had seen how their clothes were changed, he would have registered a protest there and then. She also took up the heckling of the women by the Pakistani media. She said it had been specifically agreed by both sides that media would not be allowed to come close to the family but that the Pakistani press not only came close to them but also harassed and hurled taunts at them: "Thank god they didn't say that there was a bomb in her shoes! If for security reasons she was made to take off shoes, they should have returned them when she was leaving but no, they had to commit some sort of cruelty," Swaraj said. Also read: Kulbhushan Jadhav parroted script given by Pakistan during meeting with family, mother foils attempt "It was nothing like a humanitarian gesture. Human rights of the family members were violated again and again and an environment of fear was created for them," Swaraj added.

Sushma Swaraj speaks on Jadhav row, says Pakistani claims of hidden camera absurd

<p>The &quot;constitution is supreme to me, Parliament is supreme to me,&quot; Karnataka MP Ananth Kumar Hegde said Thursday in the Lok Sabha.</p>

<p>Hegde was apologising for his <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/those-who-call-themselves-secular-dont-know-about-their-parentage-mp-ananth-kumar-hegde-27714" target="_blank">remarks</a> that &quot;people who call themselves secular... are like people without parentage&quot;&nbsp;and that the BJP has come to power to &quot;change the Constitution&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congress&#39; Mallikarjun Kharge objected to Ananth Kumar Hegde&#39;s clarification, following which Hegde said, &#39;If anyone was hurt by my statements I tender an apology.&#39; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabha?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabha</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946253674971406336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-not-on-same-page-with-hedge-bjp-leaders-on-hedges-remarks-27859">Government doesn&#39;t agree with Hedge&#39;s remarks, ministers say in Parliament </a></p>

<p>&quot;I deeply respect the Constitution, the Parliament and Baba Saheb Ambedkar. The Constitution is supreme for me, there can be no question on it, as a citizen I can never go against it,&quot; Hegde said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Regarding the deadlock in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha due to my statement, I want to assure my friends that Constitution is supreme to me, Parliament is supreme to me,&quot;&nbsp;he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Both houses of Parliament had been adjourned Wednesday over Hegde&#39;s remarks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;If a person has no belief in the Constitution, he has no right to be a member of Parliament,&quot; the Congress&#39;s Ghulam Nabi Azad had said in the Rajya Sabha.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The government had since distanced itself from Hegde&#39;s remarks. The opposition had called for him to apologise or to quit.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/constitution-the-foundation-of-our-country-is-under-threat-rahul-gandhi-27928" target="_blank">Constitution, the country&#39;s foundation, is under threat: Rahul Gandhi </a></p>


'The Constitution is supreme for me, there can be no question on it, as a citizen I can never go against it,' he said

The "constitution is supreme to me, Parliament is supreme to me," Karnataka MP Ananth Kumar Hegde said Thursday in the Lok Sabha. Hegde was apologising for his remarks that "people who call themselves secular... are like people without parentage" and that the BJP has come to power to "change the Constitution". Congress' Mallikarjun Kharge objected to Ananth Kumar Hegde's clarification, following which Hegde said, 'If anyone was hurt by my statements I tender an apology.' #LokSabha — ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2017 × Also read: Government doesn't agree with Hedge's remarks, ministers say in Parliament "I deeply respect the Constitution, the Parliament and Baba Saheb Ambedkar. The Constitution is supreme for me, there can be no question on it, as a citizen I can never go against it," Hegde said. "Regarding the deadlock in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha due to my statement, I want to assure my friends that Constitution is supreme to me, Parliament is supreme to me," he added. Both houses of Parliament had been adjourned Wednesday over Hegde's remarks. "If a person has no belief in the Constitution, he has no right to be a member of Parliament," the Congress's Ghulam Nabi Azad had said in the Rajya Sabha. The government had since distanced itself from Hegde's remarks. The opposition had called for him to apologise or to quit. Also read: Constitution, the country's foundation, is under threat: Rahul Gandhi

Constitution is supreme: Ananth Kumar Hegde apologises in Lok Sabha

<p>Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday announced to make a statement in both Houses of Parliament tomorrow on the treatment of Kulbhushan Jadhav&#39;s wife and mother in Pakistan.</p>

<p>Swaraj will first address the Rajya Sabha at 11 am and later the Lok Sabha at 12 noon on Thursday.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier today, Parliament witnessed protests after Opposition condemned the way Pakistani authorities&nbsp;humiliated the family of jailed Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav during their visit to&nbsp;Islamabad.&nbsp;</p>

<p>From removing bangles, bindi and mangal sutra of Jadhav&#39;s wife to preventing his mother to speak in her mother tongue, Pakistani officials harassed the two before their 40 minutes meeting with him.</p>

<p>The meeting between Jadhav and his family took place on December 25 at the Pakistani foreign affairs ministry in Islamabad after repeated requests by India for family access.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Swaraj will first address the Rajya Sabha at 11 am tomorrow and later the Lok Sabha at 12 noon, media reports. ?

Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday announced to make a statement in both Houses of Parliament tomorrow on the treatment of Kulbhushan Jadhav's wife and mother in Pakistan. Swaraj will first address the Rajya Sabha at 11 am and later the Lok Sabha at 12 noon on Thursday. Earlier today, Parliament witnessed protests after Opposition condemned the way Pakistani authorities humiliated the family of jailed Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav during their visit to Islamabad. From removing bangles, bindi and mangal sutra of Jadhav's wife to preventing his mother to speak in her mother tongue, Pakistani officials harassed the two before their 40 minutes meeting with him. The meeting between Jadhav and his family took place on December 25 at the Pakistani foreign affairs ministry in Islamabad after repeated requests by India for family access.

Sushma Swaraj to speak on Kulbhushan Jadhav's family meet in Parliament tomorrow

<p>Both houses of Parliament were adjourned Wednesday after the Opposition raised an uproar over Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde&#39;s statements on secularism and changing the constitution.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/those-who-call-themselves-secular-dont-know-about-their-parentage-mp-ananth-kumar-hegde-27714" target="_blank">&#39;Those who call themselves secular don&#39;t know about their parentage,&#39; says Karnataka MP</a></p>

<p>There had been pandemonium in the Rajya Sabha after the Leader of the Opposition in the house, the Congress&#39;s Ghulam Nabi Azad, brought up the issue.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;If a person has no belief in the constitution, he has no right to be a member of Parliament,&quot; Azad had said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congress&#39; Ghulam Nabi Azad raises the issue of remarks made by Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde about the constitution, in Rajya Sabha; says &quot;if a person has no belief in the constitution, he has no right to be a member of Parliament&quot; <a href="https://t.co/UDaMge4yOd">pic.twitter.com/UDaMge4yOd</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/945893770981130240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned till noon.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Congress had in the morning given an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha over Hegde&#39;s remarks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Congress had also given a&nbsp;suspension of business notice in the Rajya Sabha under over PM Modi&rsquo;s remarks about former PM Manmohan Singh.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-claims-pakistan-trying-to-influence-gujarat-elections-26391" target="_blank">Modi claims Pakistan trying to influence Gujarat elections</a></p>

<p>The Congress has demanded an apology from the prime minister on the floor of the house.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP has so far said there will be no apology coming.&nbsp;</p>


The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were both adjourned till 12 pm

Both houses of Parliament were adjourned Wednesday after the Opposition raised an uproar over Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde's statements on secularism and changing the constitution. Also read: 'Those who call themselves secular don't know about their parentage,' says Karnataka MP There had been pandemonium in the Rajya Sabha after the Leader of the Opposition in the house, the Congress's Ghulam Nabi Azad, brought up the issue. "If a person has no belief in the constitution, he has no right to be a member of Parliament," Azad had said. Congress' Ghulam Nabi Azad raises the issue of remarks made by Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde about the constitution, in Rajya Sabha; says "if a person has no belief in the constitution, he has no right to be a member of Parliament" pic.twitter.com/UDaMge4yOd — ANI (@ANI) December 27, 2017 × Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned till noon. The Congress had in the morning given an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha over Hegde's remarks. The Congress had also given a suspension of business notice in the Rajya Sabha under over PM Modi’s remarks about former PM Manmohan Singh. Also read: Modi claims Pakistan trying to influence Gujarat elections The Congress has demanded an apology from the prime minister on the floor of the house. The BJP has so far said there will be no apology coming.

Both houses of Parliament adjourned over MP's statement on secularism, changing constitution

<p>The Lok Sabha passed the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Amendment Bill 2017 on Wednesday.</p>

<p>The bill was introduced by Arun Jaitley in the lower house last week.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The approval would allow increasing the maximum rate at which the Compensation Cess can be levied from 15 to 25 per cent&nbsp; on motor vehicles for transport of not more than 13 persons, including the driver [falling under sub-headings 870210, 8702 20, 8702 30 or 8702 90]; and motor vehicles falling under headings 8703.</p>

<p>On Wednesday another bill was passed by the Lok Sabha, providing protection to unauthorised colonies and slums from punitive action for three more years.</p>

<p>Today both the houses were adjourned after Opposition leader Ghulam Nabi Azad stalled the house over Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde&#39;s statements on secularism and changing the constitution.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(<em>With inputs from ANI)</em></p>


The bill was introduced by Arun Jaitley in lower house, last week

The Lok Sabha passed the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Amendment Bill 2017 on Wednesday. The bill was introduced by Arun Jaitley in the lower house last week. The approval would allow increasing the maximum rate at which the Compensation Cess can be levied from 15 to 25 per cent on motor vehicles for transport of not more than 13 persons, including the driver [falling under sub-headings 870210, 8702 20, 8702 30 or 8702 90]; and motor vehicles falling under headings 8703. On Wednesday another bill was passed by the Lok Sabha, providing protection to unauthorised colonies and slums from punitive action for three more years. Today both the houses were adjourned after Opposition leader Ghulam Nabi Azad stalled the house over Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde's statements on secularism and changing the constitution. (With inputs from ANI)

Lok Sabha passes GST amendment bill

<p>It was a meeting between Union minister Vijay Goel and Manmohan Singh last week that initiated the process to break the government-opposition deadlock in the Rajya Sabha, a top government official said today.</p>

<p>The proceedings of both the Houses of Parliament were disrupted for nearly two weeks over remarks by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Gujarat Assembly election campaign. He had criticised his predecessor Singh for attending a secret&quot; dinner with senior Pakistan officials at former Union minister Mani Shankar Aiyar&#39;s residence.</p>

<p>According to the official, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Goel reached out to the former prime minister and showed him the copy of Modi&#39;s speech and convinced him that no derogatory references were made to him.</p>

<p>&quot;Singh then agreed to end the deadlock with a statement from the government,&quot; the official claimed.</p>

<p>Goel&#39;s meeting with Singh was followed by a meeting of Leader of the Upper house Arun Jaitley and Goel with Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad and Congress leader Anand Sharma at Azad&#39;s residence.</p>

<p>The process culminated in a statement today by Jaitley, who said the prime minister has never questioned Singh&#39;s integrity and commitment to the nation.</p>

<p>However, ahead of Jaitley&#39;s statement, there was a small disagreement between the two sides over its formulation that was resolved with the intervention of Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu.<br />
Naidu suggested to the government to drop the contentious word and the government relented, they said.</p>

<p>Reacting to Jaitley&#39;s statement, Azad said the Congress does not approve of any remarks made against the prime minister, apparently in a reference to the &quot;neech&quot; remark made by Aiyar.&nbsp;</p>


Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Goel reached out to the former prime minister and showed him the copy of Modi's speech and convinced him that no derogatory references were made to him.

It was a meeting between Union minister Vijay Goel and Manmohan Singh last week that initiated the process to break the government-opposition deadlock in the Rajya Sabha, a top government official said today. The proceedings of both the Houses of Parliament were disrupted for nearly two weeks over remarks by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Gujarat Assembly election campaign. He had criticised his predecessor Singh for attending a secret" dinner with senior Pakistan officials at former Union minister Mani Shankar Aiyar's residence. According to the official, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Goel reached out to the former prime minister and showed him the copy of Modi's speech and convinced him that no derogatory references were made to him. "Singh then agreed to end the deadlock with a statement from the government," the official claimed. Goel's meeting with Singh was followed by a meeting of Leader of the Upper house Arun Jaitley and Goel with Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad and Congress leader Anand Sharma at Azad's residence. The process culminated in a statement today by Jaitley, who said the prime minister has never questioned Singh's integrity and commitment to the nation. However, ahead of Jaitley's statement, there was a small disagreement between the two sides over its formulation that was resolved with the intervention of Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu. Naidu suggested to the government to drop the contentious word and the government relented, they said. Reacting to Jaitley's statement, Azad said the Congress does not approve of any remarks made against the prime minister, apparently in a reference to the "neech" remark made by Aiyar.

'Goel-Manmohan meeting began process to break govt-opposition deadlock in RS'

<p>In a written reply to Rajya Sabha today, Minister of State of Railways, Rajen Gohain noted that the government does not plan to hike railway fares.</p>

<p>Gohain noted that the national transporter has seen an increase in passenger traffic by 0.68 per cent and a spike of 0.99 per cent between Delhi and Mumbai during April- November 2017 as compared to the corresponding period last year.</p>

<p>Gohain&#39;s reply addressed queries around passenger traffic, special trains and their fares.</p>

<p>He shared that &#39;special&#39; trains are made operational with an aim to clear extra rush of passengers during peak seasons, festivals and special events.</p>

<p>&quot;Special trains on special charges are introduced based on demand pattern. They run over and above the scheduled trains and are charged at the rate of 10 per cent of basic fare for the second class and 30 per cent of basic fare for all other classes,&quot; the minister said.</p>

<p>Suvidha trains are run based on the demand pattern. The minimum fare of such trains -- applicable for the initial 20 per cent&nbsp;bookings -- usually equals the standard Tatkal fare.&nbsp;Thereafter the fare for the subsequent 20 per cent of bookings go up by three times of the standard Tatkal fare, the minister noted.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gohain explained higher fares of these trains as an outcome of escalating operational costs.</p>

<p>&quot;The operational cost of running passenger train services is increasing year after year while the passenger fare is highly subsidised,&quot; Gohain added.</p>

<p>&quot;At present, there is no such proposal&quot;, he replied to a query on government&#39;s plan of increasing fares.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from PTI)</em></p>


'At present, there is no such proposal', Minister of State of Railways Rajen Gohain

In a written reply to Rajya Sabha today, Minister of State of Railways, Rajen Gohain noted that the government does not plan to hike railway fares. Gohain noted that the national transporter has seen an increase in passenger traffic by 0.68 per cent and a spike of 0.99 per cent between Delhi and Mumbai during April- November 2017 as compared to the corresponding period last year. Gohain's reply addressed queries around passenger traffic, special trains and their fares. He shared that 'special' trains are made operational with an aim to clear extra rush of passengers during peak seasons, festivals and special events. "Special trains on special charges are introduced based on demand pattern. They run over and above the scheduled trains and are charged at the rate of 10 per cent of basic fare for the second class and 30 per cent of basic fare for all other classes," the minister said. Suvidha trains are run based on the demand pattern. The minimum fare of such trains -- applicable for the initial 20 per cent bookings -- usually equals the standard Tatkal fare. Thereafter the fare for the subsequent 20 per cent of bookings go up by three times of the standard Tatkal fare, the minister noted. Gohain explained higher fares of these trains as an outcome of escalating operational costs. "The operational cost of running passenger train services is increasing year after year while the passenger fare is highly subsidised," Gohain added. "At present, there is no such proposal", he replied to a query on government's plan of increasing fares. (With inputs from PTI)

'Don't plan to hike fares,' Indian Railways informed Parliament today

<p>Just days after Congress was beaten in the Gujarat polls, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/promise-of-15-lakh-in-every-bank-account-demonetisation-gabbar-singh-tax-modi-modeleverything-is-lie-rahul-gandhi-27471">Rahul Gandhi arrived at Keshod airport&nbsp;to visit Gujarat&#39;s</a> Somnath temple and attend a meeting with newly-elected MLAs.</p>

<p>Congress had bagged <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/i-got-to-know-people-in-gujarat-do-not-approve-of-modis-model-rahul-gandhi-27158">77 seats in the recently concluded</a> Gujarat elections which was hailed as a &quot;victory&quot; by the party since it was the best showing by the Congress in decades.</p>

<p>During the polls, Rahul Gandhi had visited a number of temples in Gujarat including the Chotila temple, Khodaldham in Kagvad, Jalaram Bapa temple in Virpur and Dasi Jivan temple near Jasdan, among several others.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Congress president had visited the Dwarkadhish Temple in September to seek blessings of Lord Krishna as he kicked off the Gujarat campaign.</p>

<p>The Congress president is also expected to meet the new MLAs as the Congress sets out his&nbsp;strategy to take on the ruling BJP in the next five years.</p>

<p>The BJP had announced yesterday that Vijay Rupani will continue as chief minister of Gujarat.</p>

<p>Ahead of his visit, Rahul Gandhi took a dig at the BJP, tweeting: &quot;If BJP had a film franchise it would be called Lie Hard.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">If BJP had a film franchise it would be called Lie Hard <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BJPLieHard?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BJPLieHard</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BJPLies?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BJPLies</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HowManyBJPLies?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HowManyBJPLies</a></p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/944395250298011648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The BJP and Congress were involved in a bitter war of words during the Gujarat polls, after the election results were announced Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP claiming its entire structure was based on lies while addressing the Congress Working Committee meeting.</p>

<p>The Congress president said &quot;If you see the Modi model in Gujarat it was a clear lie, when we went to Gujarat the people said there is no model, they said what is going on is stealing of people&#39;s resources.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


During the polls, Rahul Gandhi had visited a number of temples in Gujarat including the Chotila temple, Khodaldham in Kagvad, Jalaram Bapa temple in Virpur among others

Just days after Congress was beaten in the Gujarat polls, Rahul Gandhi arrived at Keshod airport to visit Gujarat's Somnath temple and attend a meeting with newly-elected MLAs. Congress had bagged 77 seats in the recently concluded Gujarat elections which was hailed as a "victory" by the party since it was the best showing by the Congress in decades. During the polls, Rahul Gandhi had visited a number of temples in Gujarat including the Chotila temple, Khodaldham in Kagvad, Jalaram Bapa temple in Virpur and Dasi Jivan temple near Jasdan, among several others. The Congress president had visited the Dwarkadhish Temple in September to seek blessings of Lord Krishna as he kicked off the Gujarat campaign. The Congress president is also expected to meet the new MLAs as the Congress sets out his strategy to take on the ruling BJP in the next five years. The BJP had announced yesterday that Vijay Rupani will continue as chief minister of Gujarat. Ahead of his visit, Rahul Gandhi took a dig at the BJP, tweeting: "If BJP had a film franchise it would be called Lie Hard." If BJP had a film franchise it would be called Lie Hard #BJPLieHard #BJPLies #HowManyBJPLies — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 23, 2017 × The BJP and Congress were involved in a bitter war of words during the Gujarat polls, after the election results were announced Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP claiming its entire structure was based on lies while addressing the Congress Working Committee meeting. The Congress president said "If you see the Modi model in Gujarat it was a clear lie, when we went to Gujarat the people said there is no model, they said what is going on is stealing of people's resources."

Rahul Gandhi arrives in Gujarat to visit Somnath temple; meet new MLAs

<p>Rajya Sabha&nbsp;got adjourned till&nbsp;11 am&nbsp;on&nbsp;December 27 amid the uproar by Congress demanding apology over the remarks by Prime Minister Narendra Modi against former prime minister Manmohan Singh.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11 AM on 27th December amid uproar by Congress demanding PM Modi&#39;s apology for remarks against Dr.Manmohan Singh</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/944084799999827968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Congress MPs also raised slogans on&nbsp;the same issue in Lok Sabha today.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Uproar in Lok Sabha,Congress MPs raise slogans demanding PM Modi&#39;s apology for remarks against Dr.Manmohan Singh</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/944083191752663040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Early on Friday morning, Congress had sent an&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-gives-adjournment-motion-notice-to-rajya-sabha-27427">adjournment motion notice</a> to Rajya Sabha under the rule 267&nbsp;of Rules of procedure and conduct of Business in the council of states, Rajya Sabha.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, BJP MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe also gave adjourned motion notice in Rajya Sabha under the same rule.</p>

<p>Modi while campaigning in Gujarat had said Manmohan Singh, former Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, and former vice-president Hamid Ansari had met with the Pakistani high commissioner and former foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri and discussed the Gujarat elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Finance minister Arun Jaitley reportedly also assured the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/congress-agrees-to-have-discussion-with-the-government-over-allegations-made-against-manmohan-singh-27177">opposition that the government</a>&nbsp;was open to discussion.&nbsp;</p>


Congress MPs also raised slogans for the same issue in Lok Sabha also

Rajya Sabha got adjourned till 11 am on December 27 amid the uproar by Congress demanding apology over the remarks by Prime Minister Narendra Modi against former prime minister Manmohan Singh. Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11 AM on 27th December amid uproar by Congress demanding PM Modi's apology for remarks against Dr.Manmohan Singh — ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2017 × Congress MPs also raised slogans on the same issue in Lok Sabha today. Uproar in Lok Sabha,Congress MPs raise slogans demanding PM Modi's apology for remarks against Dr.Manmohan Singh — ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2017 × Early on Friday morning, Congress had sent an adjournment motion notice to Rajya Sabha under the rule 267 of Rules of procedure and conduct of Business in the council of states, Rajya Sabha. Meanwhile, BJP MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe also gave adjourned motion notice in Rajya Sabha under the same rule. Modi while campaigning in Gujarat had said Manmohan Singh, former Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, and former vice-president Hamid Ansari had met with the Pakistani high commissioner and former foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri and discussed the Gujarat elections. Finance minister Arun Jaitley reportedly also assured the opposition that the government was open to discussion.

Rajya Sabha adjourned till Tuesday amid uproar over Modi's remark on Manmohan Singh

<p>Congress continuing its standoff&nbsp;in Parliament over Prime Minister Modi&#39;s remarks on Manmohan Singh sent an adjournment motion notice to Rajya Sabha on Friday.</p>

<p>The notice was sent under the rule 267 of Rules of procedure and conduct of Business in the council of states, Rajya Sabha.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congress given adjournment motion notice in Rajya Sabha under rule 267 on PM Modi&#39;s remarks against Dr.Manmohan Singh <a href="https://t.co/g5d7p9Bwdk">pic.twitter.com/g5d7p9Bwdk</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/944049701199888384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Vice President and Speaker of Rajya Sabha will be taking a final decision on the adjournment today.</p>

<p>On Thursday, the parliament was adjourned for the day even before <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sachin-tendulkars-unable-to-lead-debate-as-rajya-sabha-gets-adjourned-27360">Sachin Tendulkar</a> could begin his debate on &quot;Right to Play and the future of sports in India&quot; due to the Congress outcry.</p>

<p>The Rajya Sabha had been repeatedly adjourned since Monday as the opposition demanding an apology for the remarks made by PM Modi on former PM Manmohan Singh during an election rally in Gujarat last week.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-adjourned-over-pm-modi-remarks-against-manmohan-singh-27253">Parliament adjourned over PM Modi remarks against Manmohan Singh</a></p>

<p>On Tuesday, the Congress also walked out of the Lok Sabha.</p>

<p>Finance minister Arun Jaitley reportedly also assured the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/congress-agrees-to-have-discussion-with-the-government-over-allegations-made-against-manmohan-singh-27177">opposition that the government</a> was open to discussion.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi while campaigning in Gujarat had said Manmohan Singh, former Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar and former vice-president Hamid Ansari had met with the Pakistani high commissioner and former foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri and discussed the Gujarat elections.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The notice was sent under the rule 267 of Rules of procedure and conduct of Business in the council of states, Rajya Sabha.

Congress continuing its standoff in Parliament over Prime Minister Modi's remarks on Manmohan Singh sent an adjournment motion notice to Rajya Sabha on Friday. The notice was sent under the rule 267 of Rules of procedure and conduct of Business in the council of states, Rajya Sabha. Congress given adjournment motion notice in Rajya Sabha under rule 267 on PM Modi's remarks against Dr.Manmohan Singh pic.twitter.com/g5d7p9Bwdk — ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2017 × Vice President and Speaker of Rajya Sabha will be taking a final decision on the adjournment today. On Thursday, the parliament was adjourned for the day even before Sachin Tendulkar could begin his debate on "Right to Play and the future of sports in India" due to the Congress outcry. The Rajya Sabha had been repeatedly adjourned since Monday as the opposition demanding an apology for the remarks made by PM Modi on former PM Manmohan Singh during an election rally in Gujarat last week. Also read: Parliament adjourned over PM Modi remarks against Manmohan Singh On Tuesday, the Congress also walked out of the Lok Sabha. Finance minister Arun Jaitley reportedly also assured the opposition that the government was open to discussion. Modi while campaigning in Gujarat had said Manmohan Singh, former Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar and former vice-president Hamid Ansari had met with the Pakistani high commissioner and former foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri and discussed the Gujarat elections.

Congress sends adjournment motion notice to Rajya Sabha

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/vijay-rupani-to-continue-as-gujarat-chief-minister-nitin-bhai-patel-his-deputy-bjp-27467" target="_blank">Vijay Rupani to continue as Gujarat chief minister, Nitin Bhai Patel his deputy: BJP</a></p>

<p>Vijay Rupani will continue as Chief Minister of Gujarat, Nitin Patel his deputy, the BJP announced on Friday. The announcement was made at a meeting conducted by elected BJP candidates under the steer of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who made the announcement.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sachin-tendulkar-releases-video-takes-his-disrupted-rajya-sabha-speech-online-27462" target="_blank">Sachin Tendulkar releases video; takes his disrupted Rajya Sabha speech online</a></p>

<p>Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was supposed to initiate a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sachin-tendulkars-unable-to-lead-debate-as-rajya-sabha-gets-adjourned-27360">debate&nbsp;</a>in&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sachin-tendulkars-unable-to-lead-debate-as-rajya-sabha-gets-adjourned-27360">Rajya Sabha yesterday</a>. His speech was disrupted as the Upper House of Parliament was adjourned due to Congress leaders&#39; sloganeering over PM Modi&#39;s remark on former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/adarsh-scam-bombay-high-court-rejects-governors-sanction-to-prosecute-ashok-chavan-27435" target="_blank">Adarsh scam: Bombay High Court rejects Governor&#39;s sanction to prosecute Ashok Chavan</a></p>

<p>The Bombay High Court on Friday set aside Governor&#39;s sanction to prosecute senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan in the Adarsh scam.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/lashkar-e-taiba-creates-special-security-team-to-protect-hafiz-saeed-27474" target="_blank">Lashkar-e-Taiba forms &#39;special security team&#39; to protect Hafiz Saeed</a></p>

<p>Lashkar-e-Taiba is reported to have created a &quot;special security team&quot;&nbsp;to provide security cover to global terrorist and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) Chief Hafiz Saeed. Saeed&#39;s LeT&nbsp;security agents would also be armed with&nbsp;ammunition.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/palestinian-president-calls-us-dishonest-mediator-says-will-not-accept-us-peace-plan-27464" target="_blank">Palestinian President calls US dishonest mediator, says will not accept US peace plan</a></p>

<p>Mahmud Abbas, the president of Palestine has said that his country will not accept any peace proposal by the United States.&nbsp; He said, &quot;&nbsp;The United States has proven to be a dishonest mediator in the peace process and we will no longer accept any plan from the United States.&quot;</p>

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Here are the top developments this evening

Vijay Rupani to continue as Gujarat chief minister, Nitin Bhai Patel his deputy: BJP Vijay Rupani will continue as Chief Minister of Gujarat, Nitin Patel his deputy, the BJP announced on Friday. The announcement was made at a meeting conducted by elected BJP candidates under the steer of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who made the announcement. Sachin Tendulkar releases video; takes his disrupted Rajya Sabha speech online Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was supposed to initiate a debate in Rajya Sabha yesterday. His speech was disrupted as the Upper House of Parliament was adjourned due to Congress leaders' sloganeering over PM Modi's remark on former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Adarsh scam: Bombay High Court rejects Governor's sanction to prosecute Ashok Chavan The Bombay High Court on Friday set aside Governor's sanction to prosecute senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan in the Adarsh scam. Lashkar-e-Taiba forms 'special security team' to protect Hafiz Saeed Lashkar-e-Taiba is reported to have created a "special security team" to provide security cover to global terrorist and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) Chief Hafiz Saeed. Saeed's LeT security agents would also be armed with ammunition. Palestinian President calls US dishonest mediator, says will not accept US peace plan Mahmud Abbas, the president of Palestine has said that his country will not accept any peace proposal by the United States. He said, " The United States has proven to be a dishonest mediator in the peace process and we will no longer accept any plan from the United States."

WION evening news brief, December 22, 2017

<p>Indian batting legend <a href="http://www.wionews.com/cricket/sehwag-thanks-tendulkar-for-one-crore-bmw-gift-20722">Sachin Tendulkar will be initiating </a>a debate in Upper House of Parliament today&nbsp;on &quot;Right to Play and the future of sports in India&quot;.</p>

<p>Sachin will be initiating a debate in Rajya Sabha for the first time in over five years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Tendulkar, who was nominated to Rajya Sabha as an independent candidate with Congress support in 2012, has often faced flak from various parties for his prolonged absence from the Upper House of Parliament.</p>

<p>In March, Naresh Chandra Agrawal, Samajwadi Party&#39;s Rajya Sabha member had said Tendulkar should resign due to his continued poor attendance, other members in the Rajya Sabha have raised the issue earlier.</p>

<p>In 2014, Sachin was slammed for attending only three sessions in 2013 and none in 2014.</p>

<p>As per Article 104 of the Constitution, if a member is absent from either House of Parliament for a period of 60 days then the seat is considered &quot;vacant&quot;.</p>

<p>However, this time the cricket icon will be starting a debate which is close to his hear - sports.</p>


Naresh Chandra Agrawal, Samajwadi Party's Rajya Sabha member had said Tendulkar should resign due to his continued poor attendance in Rajya Sabha

Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar will be initiating a debate in Upper House of Parliament today on "Right to Play and the future of sports in India". Sachin will be initiating a debate in Rajya Sabha for the first time in over five years. Tendulkar, who was nominated to Rajya Sabha as an independent candidate with Congress support in 2012, has often faced flak from various parties for his prolonged absence from the Upper House of Parliament. In March, Naresh Chandra Agrawal, Samajwadi Party's Rajya Sabha member had said Tendulkar should resign due to his continued poor attendance, other members in the Rajya Sabha have raised the issue earlier. In 2014, Sachin was slammed for attending only three sessions in 2013 and none in 2014. As per Article 104 of the Constitution, if a member is absent from either House of Parliament for a period of 60 days then the seat is considered "vacant". However, this time the cricket icon will be starting a debate which is close to his hear - sports.

Finally, Sachin Tendulkar to initiate debate in Rajya Sabha today

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/2g-scam-verdict-cbi-says-necessary-legal-remedies-will-be-taken-27361" target="_blank">2G scam verdict: CBI says &#39;necessary legal remedies will be taken&#39;</a></p>

<p>The CBI said today after the 2G scam verdict in which all 17 accused were acquitted that &quot;necessary legal remedies will be taken&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sachin-tendulkars-unable-to-lead-debate-as-rajya-sabha-gets-adjourned-27360" target="_blank">Rajya Sabha adjourned, Sachin not allowed to make maiden speech</a></p>

<p>In a first, cricket legend&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/finally-sachin-tendulkar-to-initiate-debate-in-rajya-sabha-today-27337">Sachin Tendulkar was expected to lead a debate</a>&nbsp;in Rajya Sabha today on &quot;Right to Play and the future of sports in India&quot;. Sachin&#39;s debate could not be initiated as the Rajya Sabha session was adjourned until 11 am tomorrow after sloganeering began by the opposition.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-updates-voting-begins-in-rk-nagar-27326" target="_blank">RK Nagar </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-updates-voting-begins-in-rk-nagar-27326" target="_blank">bypoll</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-updates-voting-begins-in-rk-nagar-27326" target="_blank"> live updates: Voting concludes</a></p>

<p>Voting began today in the prestigious RK Nagar bypoll in Chennai after a&nbsp;high-voltage campaign by the ruling AIADMK, Independent candidate TTV Dinkarakan and DMK for late Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa&#39;s seat.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/2g-scam-verdict-a-raja-kanimozhi-15-other-accused-acquitted-of-graft-charges-27341" target="_blank">2G scam verdict: A Raja, Kanimozhi, all other accused acquitted of graft charges</a></p>

<p>All 17 accused in the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-court-to-pronounce-verdict-in-2g-scam-today-27328">2G scam</a>, including former Telecom Minister A Raja, DMK Member of Parliament Kanimozhi and three companies, have been acquitted of corruption charges.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israel-pm-rejects-jerusalem-vote-at-united-nations-house-of-lies-27381" target="_blank">Israel PM rejects Jerusalem vote at United Nations &#39;house of lies&#39;</a></p>

<p>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dubbed the United Nations a &quot;house of lies&quot; on Thursday, ahead of a General Assembly vote on a resolution rejecting US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital.</p>


2G scam verdict: CBI says 'necessary legal remedies will be taken' The CBI said today after the 2G scam verdict in which all 17 accused were acquitted that "necessary legal remedies will be taken". Rajya Sabha adjourned, Sachin not allowed to make maiden speech In a first, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was expected to lead a debate in Rajya Sabha today on "Right to Play and the future of sports in India". Sachin's debate could not be initiated as the Rajya Sabha session was adjourned until 11 am tomorrow after sloganeering began by the opposition. RK Nagar bypoll live updates: Voting concludes Voting began today in the prestigious RK Nagar bypoll in Chennai after a high-voltage campaign by the ruling AIADMK, Independent candidate TTV Dinkarakan and DMK for late Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa's seat. 2G scam verdict: A Raja, Kanimozhi, all other accused acquitted of graft charges All 17 accused in the 2G scam, including former Telecom Minister A Raja, DMK Member of Parliament Kanimozhi and three companies, have been acquitted of corruption charges. Israel PM rejects Jerusalem vote at United Nations 'house of lies' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dubbed the United Nations a "house of lies" on Thursday, ahead of a General Assembly vote on a resolution rejecting US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

WION Evening News brief, 21 December

<p>The government and opposition will discuss Prime Minister Modi&#39;s remarks on Manmohan Singh in the Rajya Sabha.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The upper house had been repeatedly adjourned on Monday with the opposition demanding an apology for the remarks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And the Congress walked out of the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/manmohan-singh-reiterates-pain-and-anguish-in-video-26668">Pakistan meddling in Gujarat allegation: Manmohan Singh reiterates pain and anguish in video </a></p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/paks-dig-at-pm-modi-india-should-stop-dragging-pakistan-into-electoral-debate-says-pakistan-foreign-ministry-26433">Win Gujarat election on own strength, stop dragging us: Pakistan hits back after PM Modi&#39;s jibe </a></p>

<p>After the impasse, Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu said he met informally with the opposition and treasury benches to figure out a way forward.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At the meeting, it was decided that the issue would be discussed in the Rajya Sabha.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Finance Minister Arun Jaitley reportedly also assured the opposition that the government was open to discussion.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/manmohan-to-pm-find-more-dignified-ways-to-seek-votes-25699">Manmohan to PM, find &#39;more dignified ways&#39; to seek votes</a></p>

<p>The issue was raised in the Rajya Sabha by Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Azad said a question mark had been placed on the dignity of the prime minister.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also demanded Prime Minister Modi&#39;s presence to explain the allegations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Media reports said Tuesday that Manmohan had met Naidu personally and told him about the allegations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi had, while campaigning in Gujarat, said Manmohan Singh, former Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, and former vice-president Hamid Ansari had met with the Pakistani high commissioner and former foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri and discussed the Gujarat elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/narendra-modi-questions-aiyars-meeting-with-pak-high-commissioner-26372">Why did Congress leaders meet in secret with Pakistanis? PM Modi in Gujarat </a></p>


Modi had while campaigning in Gujarat said Congress leaders including former prime minister Manmohan Singh had met with Pakistani leaders and discussed the Gujarat elections

The government and opposition will discuss Prime Minister Modi's remarks on Manmohan Singh in the Rajya Sabha. The upper house had been repeatedly adjourned on Monday with the opposition demanding an apology for the remarks. And the Congress walked out of the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. Also read: Pakistan meddling in Gujarat allegation: Manmohan Singh reiterates pain and anguish in video Also read: Win Gujarat election on own strength, stop dragging us: Pakistan hits back after PM Modi's jibe After the impasse, Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu said he met informally with the opposition and treasury benches to figure out a way forward. At the meeting, it was decided that the issue would be discussed in the Rajya Sabha. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley reportedly also assured the opposition that the government was open to discussion. Also read: Manmohan to PM, find 'more dignified ways' to seek votes The issue was raised in the Rajya Sabha by Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad. Azad said a question mark had been placed on the dignity of the prime minister. He also demanded Prime Minister Modi's presence to explain the allegations. Media reports said Tuesday that Manmohan had met Naidu personally and told him about the allegations. Modi had, while campaigning in Gujarat, said Manmohan Singh, former Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, and former vice-president Hamid Ansari had met with the Pakistani high commissioner and former foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri and discussed the Gujarat elections. Also read: Why did Congress leaders meet in secret with Pakistanis? PM Modi in Gujarat

Government, opposition to discuss Modi remarks on Manmohan in RS

<p>Congress leaders in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday opposed Centre&#39;s plan to set up 12 special courts to try pending criminal cases against Members of Parliament (MPs) and Member of Legislative Assembly (MLAs).</p>

<p>After the ongoing winter session of Parliament resumed, Congress leader Anand Sharma said the demand had an inherent potential to be abused in entirety by the government of the day.</p>

<p>Sharma also asked the government to ensure adequate funds for setting up special courts to try criminal cases against politicians.</p>

<p>&nbsp;Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad also joined the debate saying the law should be equal for everyone and legislators alone should not be singled out.</p>

<p>In reply, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley asked Congress if they had vested interests in delaying trials of politicians.</p>

<p>The Centre had informed the Supreme Court that it has decided to set up 12 special courts to deal exclusively with criminal cases against lawmakers and politicians.</p>


Congress said the law should be for everyone and legislators alone should not be singled out

Congress leaders in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday opposed Centre's plan to set up 12 special courts to try pending criminal cases against Members of Parliament (MPs) and Member of Legislative Assembly (MLAs). After the ongoing winter session of Parliament resumed, Congress leader Anand Sharma said the demand had an inherent potential to be abused in entirety by the government of the day. Sharma also asked the government to ensure adequate funds for setting up special courts to try criminal cases against politicians. Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad also joined the debate saying the law should be equal for everyone and legislators alone should not be singled out. In reply, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley asked Congress if they had vested interests in delaying trials of politicians. The Centre had informed the Supreme Court that it has decided to set up 12 special courts to deal exclusively with criminal cases against lawmakers and politicians.

Special courts for MPs, MLAs: Opposition objects, says Centre can misuse

<p>Sparks flew in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday as the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress traded charges over bringing petroleum products under the purview of Goods and Service Tax (GST). &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram said now that BJP is in power in 19 states, what prevents them from bringing petroleum products under GST.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Now that BJP is in power in 19 states and at the Centre what prevents them from bringing petroleum products under GST? When will the GST Council take up this subject: P Chidambaram, Congress in Rajya Sabha <a href="https://t.co/xWybbIjTDB">pic.twitter.com/xWybbIjTDB</a></p>
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<p>&#39;&#39;Now that BJP is in power in 19 states and at the Centre what prevents them from bringing petroleum products under GST? When will the GST Council take up this subject,&#39;&#39; P Chidambaram said in Rajya Sabha.</p>

<p>Responding to Chidambaram, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that they are in favour of bringing petroleum products under GST.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We are in favour of bringing petroleum products under GST. We would await consensus of the states and hope states agree to the consensus sooner or later: Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Rajya Sabha <a href="https://t.co/jO4eZILPSq">pic.twitter.com/jO4eZILPSq</a></p>
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<p>&#39;&#39;We are in favour of bringing petroleum products under GST. We would await consensus of the states and hope states agree to the consensus sooner or later,&#39;&#39; said&nbsp;Jaitley.</p>

<p>Since the GST came into effect, bringing petroleum products under the purview of GST has been a contentious issue with Congress accusing BJP led NDA government of dragging its feet on the matter. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Amid an outcry over spiralling fuel prices, state governments, including those ruled by the BJP, are opposing petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan&rsquo;s suggestion that petroleum products should be brought under the Goods and Service Tax (GST).</p>

<p>States say the move would adversely impact their revenue, which has increased by almost 50 per cent&nbsp;for most states in the past three years on account of high value-added (VAT) tax.</p>

<p>Consumers pay more than 100 per cent&nbsp;tax &ndash;central and state levies combined -- on petrol and diesel which actually cost Rs 29.53 and Rs 29.12 after refining.</p>

<p>The Centre levies excise duty of Rs 21.14 on petrol and Rs 17.33 on diesel and the states impose value-added tax that ranges between 20-47 per cent.&nbsp;</p>


Sparks flew in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday as the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress traded charges over not brining petroleum products under the purview of Goods and Service Tax (GST). Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram said that not that BJP is in powe in 19 states, what

Sparks flew in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday as the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress traded charges over bringing petroleum products under the purview of Goods and Service Tax (GST). Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram said now that BJP is in power in 19 states, what prevents them from bringing petroleum products under GST. Now that BJP is in power in 19 states and at the Centre what prevents them from bringing petroleum products under GST? When will the GST Council take up this subject: P Chidambaram, Congress in Rajya Sabha pic.twitter.com/xWybbIjTDB — ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2017 × ''Now that BJP is in power in 19 states and at the Centre what prevents them from bringing petroleum products under GST? When will the GST Council take up this subject,'' P Chidambaram said in Rajya Sabha. Responding to Chidambaram, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that they are in favour of bringing petroleum products under GST. We are in favour of bringing petroleum products under GST. We would await consensus of the states and hope states agree to the consensus sooner or later: Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Rajya Sabha pic.twitter.com/jO4eZILPSq — ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2017 × ''We are in favour of bringing petroleum products under GST. We would await consensus of the states and hope states agree to the consensus sooner or later,'' said Jaitley. Since the GST came into effect, bringing petroleum products under the purview of GST has been a contentious issue with Congress accusing BJP led NDA government of dragging its feet on the matter. Amid an outcry over spiralling fuel prices, state governments, including those ruled by the BJP, are opposing petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s suggestion that petroleum products should be brought under the Goods and Service Tax (GST). States say the move would adversely impact their revenue, which has increased by almost 50 per cent for most states in the past three years on account of high value-added (VAT) tax. Consumers pay more than 100 per cent tax –central and state levies combined -- on petrol and diesel which actually cost Rs 29.53 and Rs 29.12 after refining. The Centre levies excise duty of Rs 21.14 on petrol and Rs 17.33 on diesel and the states impose value-added tax that ranges between 20-47 per cent.

Chidambaram questions Jaitley's push to bring petroleum products under GST

<p>The Rajya Sabha today passed a bill, extending greater autonomy to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) by restricting the government&#39;s role in their functioning and granting them the power to award degrees to their graduates.</p>

<p>The Indian Institutes of Management Bill, 2017 -- which was passed in the Lok Sabha in July this year -- grants statutory powers to the IIMs in their running, including the appointment of directors and faculty members.</p>

<p>The bill gives them powers to award degrees instead of postgraduate diplomas.</p>

<p>&quot;The bill offers autonomy to these institutes. Through this bill, we will remove all interference of the government, bureaucracy in the functioning of the IIMs. They will themselves decide how to manage and run these premier institutes,&quot; HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said while initiating a discussion.</p>

<p>Replying to the debate, he said the rules would be framed soon and assured the Rajya Sabha members that their suggestions would be considered. The bill was passed by the Upper House unanimously.</p>

<p>The minister assured the House that no poor students would be denied admission in IIMs and said the government would bear the interest on the education loan.</p>

<p>He said the existing board of IIMs would continue but changes would be made to comply with the provisions of this bill related to representation of SC, ST, and women in the board of governors.</p>

<p>Javadekar said that the government would withdraw its four representatives from the board.</p>

<p>Jairam Ramesh of the Congress earlier sought to know about the fate of the existing boards.</p>

<p>Justifying the autonomy for IIMs, Javadekar said, &quot;This is new beginning...We must start believing in our best educational institutes.&quot;</p>

<p>He said the government was thinking of granting greater autonomy to best institutions. &quot;Good institutions should have freedom,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>Seeking support from the opposition parties, he added that the bill seeks to bring about a positive change in the educational system in the country and hence should be supported wholeheartedly.</p>

<p>Congress member MV Rajeev Gowda, while supporting the bill, asked the government to ensure that the lack of resources do not come in the way of anybody who wishes to study in the IIMs.</p>

<p>While laying emphasis on identifying talent for the faculty positions, he also asked the government to ensure that SCs, STs, and OBCs get scholarships and get admissions for doctoral programmes around the world.</p>

<p>&quot;This initiative should be taken on a mission mode,&quot; Gowda said.</p>

<p>D Raja of the CPI said said the legislation should ensure academic freedom and end social discrimination. He also advocated more spending on education.</p>

<p>Naresh Agarwal (SP) said the educational syllabus should be uniform across the country and demanded that government investment on education be increased. He also said there should not be any politics in education.</p>

<p>AIADMK member N Gokulakrishnan, Nadimul Haque (TMC), Kahkashan Parveen of JD(U), Prasanna Acharya (BJD), K Somaprasad of CPI(M), Vijay Sai Reddy (YSRCP), Anil Desai (Shiv Sena) also participated in the debate.</p>


The Indian Institutes of Management Bill, 2017 -- which was passed in the Lok Sabha in July this year -- grants statutory powers to the IIMs in their running, including the appointment of directors and faculty members

The Rajya Sabha today passed a bill, extending greater autonomy to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) by restricting the government's role in their functioning and granting them the power to award degrees to their graduates. The Indian Institutes of Management Bill, 2017 -- which was passed in the Lok Sabha in July this year -- grants statutory powers to the IIMs in their running, including the appointment of directors and faculty members. The bill gives them powers to award degrees instead of postgraduate diplomas. "The bill offers autonomy to these institutes. Through this bill, we will remove all interference of the government, bureaucracy in the functioning of the IIMs. They will themselves decide how to manage and run these premier institutes," HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said while initiating a discussion. Replying to the debate, he said the rules would be framed soon and assured the Rajya Sabha members that their suggestions would be considered. The bill was passed by the Upper House unanimously. The minister assured the House that no poor students would be denied admission in IIMs and said the government would bear the interest on the education loan. He said the existing board of IIMs would continue but changes would be made to comply with the provisions of this bill related to representation of SC, ST, and women in the board of governors. Javadekar said that the government would withdraw its four representatives from the board. Jairam Ramesh of the Congress earlier sought to know about the fate of the existing boards. Justifying the autonomy for IIMs, Javadekar said, "This is new beginning...We must start believing in our best educational institutes." He said the government was thinking of granting greater autonomy to best institutions. "Good institutions should have freedom," he added. Seeking support from the opposition parties, he added that the bill seeks to bring about a positive change in the educational system in the country and hence should be supported wholeheartedly. Congress member MV Rajeev Gowda, while supporting the bill, asked the government to ensure that the lack of resources do not come in the way of anybody who wishes to study in the IIMs. While laying emphasis on identifying talent for the faculty positions, he also asked the government to ensure that SCs, STs, and OBCs get scholarships and get admissions for doctoral programmes around the world. "This initiative should be taken on a mission mode," Gowda said. D Raja of the CPI said said the legislation should ensure academic freedom and end social discrimination. He also advocated more spending on education. Naresh Agarwal (SP) said the educational syllabus should be uniform across the country and demanded that government investment on education be increased. He also said there should not be any politics in education. AIADMK member N Gokulakrishnan, Nadimul Haque (TMC), Kahkashan Parveen of JD(U), Prasanna Acharya (BJD), K Somaprasad of CPI(M), Vijay Sai Reddy (YSRCP), Anil Desai (Shiv Sena) also participated in the debate.

Rajya Sabha passes bill to grant more autonomy to IIMs

<p>The decision to rename Dyal Singh (Evening) College name to Vande&nbsp;Mataram Mahavidyalaya has been put on hold, the government said Tuesday.</p>

<p>&quot;We must ensure anyone&#39;s sentiments are not hurt,&quot; Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Decision to change Dyal Singh Evening College&#39;s name to Vande Mataram Mahavidyalaya has been put on hold, we must ensure anyone&#39;s sentiments are not hurt: Prakash Javadekar,HRD Minister on Akali Dal MP Naresh Gujral&#39;s statement in Parliament <a href="https://t.co/KLVXDkO7or">pic.twitter.com/KLVXDkO7or</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/943113282822352896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The announcement came after Akali Dal MP Narendra Gujral raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.</p>

<p>Gujral said the renaming of the college is a direct assault on the feelings of Sikhs.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Akali Dal MP Naresh Gujral had said in Rajya Sabha that &#39;to change the name of a minority institution( Dyal Singh College) was a direct assault on the feelings of Sikhs&#39; (file pic) <a href="https://t.co/e2ZGmefiXG">pic.twitter.com/e2ZGmefiXG</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/943115940413128705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>He added that the renaming should be condemned.</p>

<p>To which Javadekar replied that the decision was not the central government&#39;s, nor does the government like the name change, and it was therefore on hold.</p>

<p>The managing committee of Dyal Singh (Evening) College had recently announced the name change&nbsp;to Vande Mataram Mahavidyalaya.</p>

<p>The name Dyal Singh comes from the college&#39;s founder.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dyal Singh Majithia&nbsp;also founded The Tribune newspaper and Punjab National Bank.</p>

<p>Majithia willed his estate to the foundation of an educational trust for the setting up of a secular college, leading to the setting up of a Dyal Singh College in Delhi and Karnal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There is also a Dyal Singh College in Lahore, Pakistan.&nbsp;</p>


'We must ensure anyone's sentiments are not hurt,' Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said

The decision to rename Dyal Singh (Evening) College name to Vande Mataram Mahavidyalaya has been put on hold, the government said Tuesday. "We must ensure anyone's sentiments are not hurt," Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said. Decision to change Dyal Singh Evening College's name to Vande Mataram Mahavidyalaya has been put on hold, we must ensure anyone's sentiments are not hurt: Prakash Javadekar,HRD Minister on Akali Dal MP Naresh Gujral's statement in Parliament pic.twitter.com/KLVXDkO7or — ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2017 × The announcement came after Akali Dal MP Narendra Gujral raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. Gujral said the renaming of the college is a direct assault on the feelings of Sikhs. Akali Dal MP Naresh Gujral had said in Rajya Sabha that 'to change the name of a minority institution( Dyal Singh College) was a direct assault on the feelings of Sikhs' (file pic) pic.twitter.com/e2ZGmefiXG — ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2017 × He added that the renaming should be condemned. To which Javadekar replied that the decision was not the central government's, nor does the government like the name change, and it was therefore on hold. The managing committee of Dyal Singh (Evening) College had recently announced the name change to Vande Mataram Mahavidyalaya. The name Dyal Singh comes from the college's founder. Dyal Singh Majithia also founded The Tribune newspaper and Punjab National Bank. Majithia willed his estate to the foundation of an educational trust for the setting up of a secular college, leading to the setting up of a Dyal Singh College in Delhi and Karnal. There is also a Dyal Singh College in Lahore, Pakistan.

Renaming of Dyal Singh College to Vande Mataram Mahavidhyalaya on hold: Government

<p>Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu brought minor changes in the conduct of the Rajya Sabha on the first day on Friday after taking over as its Chairman, asking ministers and members not to use colonial terms while laying papers on the table.</p>

<p>Presiding over the Upper House proceedings on the opening day of the Winter Session of Parliament, Naidu said no one should use the word &quot;I beg to&quot; while laying papers on the table.</p>

<p>&quot;Just say I raise to lay on the table&quot; the listed papers, he said. &quot;No need to beg... this is independent India.&quot;</p>

<p>He made the observation after the ministers called to lay the listed papers on the table, began their sentences by saying &quot;I beg to lay on the table the papers listed against my name in today&#39;s revised list of business.&quot;</p>

<p>Naidu was however quick to clarify that this was only a suggestion and not an order.</p>

<p>This was not only the change that Naidu brought in on the first day as the presiding officer of the House. He also stood up while reading out obituary references.</p>

<p>His predecessors Hamid Ansari and Bhairon Singh Shekhawat used to read the obituary references while being seated.</p>

<p>Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan too stands while reading out obituary references.</p>

<p>Naidu took over as the Vice President of India in August.</p>

<p>Vice President is also the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha.</p>


Presiding over the Upper House proceedings on the opening day of the Winter Session of Parliament, Naidu said no one should use the word "I beg to" while laying papers on the table.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu brought minor changes in the conduct of the Rajya Sabha on the first day on Friday after taking over as its Chairman, asking ministers and members not to use colonial terms while laying papers on the table. Presiding over the Upper House proceedings on the opening day of the Winter Session of Parliament, Naidu said no one should use the word "I beg to" while laying papers on the table. "Just say I raise to lay on the table" the listed papers, he said. "No need to beg... this is independent India." He made the observation after the ministers called to lay the listed papers on the table, began their sentences by saying "I beg to lay on the table the papers listed against my name in today's revised list of business." Naidu was however quick to clarify that this was only a suggestion and not an order. This was not only the change that Naidu brought in on the first day as the presiding officer of the House. He also stood up while reading out obituary references. His predecessors Hamid Ansari and Bhairon Singh Shekhawat used to read the obituary references while being seated. Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan too stands while reading out obituary references. Naidu took over as the Vice President of India in August. Vice President is also the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha.

Don't say 'beg', we are a free nation: Vice President Venkaiah Naidu to ministers

<p>Rebel JD(U) Members of Parliament (MPs) Sharad Yadav and Ali Anwar were disqualified from the Rajya Sabha on Monday night after the Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu agreed to the Janata Dal (United)&#39;s contention that the two senior leaders had &quot;voluntarily given up&quot; their membership by defying their party&#39;s directives and attending events of opposition parties.</p>

<p>Venkaiah Naidu in his communication said the two leaders ceased to be Rajya Sabha members with immediate effect.</p>

<p>The Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) had asked for Sharad Yadav and Ali Anwar to be disqualified for attending a rally of opposition parties led by the JD(U) in Patna in violation of its direction.</p>

<p>Sharad Yadav had crossed over into the camp of Rashtriya Janata Dal chief and former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav after JD(U) president and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar dumped the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) of the Congress and the RJD the in Bihar and allied with the BJP.</p>

<p>Sharad Yadav was elected to the Rajya Sabha last year and his term was scheduled to end in 2022. Anwar Ali&#39;s term was to end early next year.</p>

<p>The former JD(U) president, who is at present in Gujarat to campaign against the BJP, is expected to respond to his disqualification today.</p>

<p>(<em>With inputs from PTI)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu agreed to the Janata Dal (United)'s contention that the two senior leaders had 'voluntarily given up' their membership by defying their party's directives and attending events of opposition parties

Rebel JD(U) Members of Parliament (MPs) Sharad Yadav and Ali Anwar were disqualified from the Rajya Sabha on Monday night after the Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu agreed to the Janata Dal (United)'s contention that the two senior leaders had "voluntarily given up" their membership by defying their party's directives and attending events of opposition parties. Venkaiah Naidu in his communication said the two leaders ceased to be Rajya Sabha members with immediate effect. The Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) had asked for Sharad Yadav and Ali Anwar to be disqualified for attending a rally of opposition parties led by the JD(U) in Patna in violation of its direction. Sharad Yadav had crossed over into the camp of Rashtriya Janata Dal chief and former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav after JD(U) president and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar dumped the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) of the Congress and the RJD the in Bihar and allied with the BJP. Sharad Yadav was elected to the Rajya Sabha last year and his term was scheduled to end in 2022. Anwar Ali's term was to end early next year. The former JD(U) president, who is at present in Gujarat to campaign against the BJP, is expected to respond to his disqualification today. (With inputs from PTI)

Sharad Yadav, Anwar Ali disqualified from Rajya Sabha

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