Latest news with #Vaiko
Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Delhi Confidential: ‘Be Kind'
Amid the pandemonium in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Deputy Chairman Harivansh had a special request for the Opposition — to let MDMK MP Vaiko raise an issue in the Zero Hour as he (Vaiko) is retiring on Thursday. 'Be kind to him,' Harivansh requested the Opposition MPs. Seeing CPI(M) member John Brittas trying to calm down his colleagues in the Opposition, Harivansh asked him to 'help Vaiko'. In his last chance to raise a matter of public importance during this term, the senior MP known for his fiery speeches, spoke on his favourite topic — the plight of fishermen. He urged the Central government to take immediate steps to secure release of Indian fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan authorities. A press briefing by the Congress leadership from J&K on the issue of statehood was conspicuously missed by the party's state president — Tariq Hameed Karra. Those who addressed the media at the party headquarters in Delhi were J&K CLP leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir, former Madhya Pradesh CM Digvijaya Singh, general secretary in-charge (J&K and Ladakh) Naseer Hussain and spokesperson Ravinder Sharma. Karra was present at a meeting of Congress leaders from J&K with the party brass in Delhi on Tuesday evening. His absence led to some speculation in the party circles in Srinagar and Delhi, but sources close to him said he was unwell. With the shift to the new complex imminent, officers from ministries located in North Block and other government buildings have started visiting their new offices at the Common Central Secretariat (CCS) buildings. A rush of government cars can be seen entering and exiting the complex, which is yet to be inaugurated. It is learnt that officers have been going to see their new offices, try out their desks and see to the finishing touches. The shifting is likely to start after the Monsoon Session of Parliament ends in August.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Vaiko urges Centre to find permanent solution to fishermen issue in Palk Bay
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko on Wednesday (July 23, 2025) urged the Union government to take immediate steps to secure the release of all Indian fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan authorities, along with their boats, and to hold talks with the Sri Lankan government to retrieve the Katchatheevu island. According to a press release, Mr. Vaiko, while speaking in the Rajya Sabha, drew the attention of the Centre to the increasing number of mid-sea arrests of fishermen from Tamil Nadu by the Sri Lankan Navy at Palk Bay. A total of 150 fishermen had been arrested since the beginning of this year, he said. Their families were facing severe financial distress and forced to pay hefty fines imposed by the Sri Lankan authorities to secure the release of their relatives, Mr. Vaiko said. The Sri Lankan Navy continues to act aggressively, violating the traditional rights of the Tamil Nadu fishermen. To prevent such arrests in the future and to protect the rights of the fishing community, the Union government should find a permanent solution to this issue, he said. Further, the Union government should exert pressure on the Sri Lankan government to provide compensation to the families of those killed by the Sri Lankan Navy in the last 10 years and to those whose boats were damaged, he added.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Operation Sindoor talk in Parliament: Rajya Sabha to hold discussion on Pahalgam attack on Tuesday; 16-hour session planned
NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha is set to hold a 16-hour discussion on the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor next Tuesday, following repeated adjournments over the issue. The Upper House on Wednesday faced disruption after disruption as Opposition MPs demanded an immediate debate, forcing an early end to the day's proceedings. From the morning, tensions ran high. The House met at 11 am but was soon adjourned after Opposition parties began protesting. Another adjournment followed at 12 pm, with MPs insisting that the SIR issue be addressed first. When the House reconvened for its post-lunch sitting at 2 pm, the protests showed no sign of stopping. Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal attempted to move The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025 for discussion and passing, but was met with loud objections. Opposition MPs, many of whom stood in protest while some entered the Well of the House, raised slogans and insisted that Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge be allowed to speak. As the uproar continued, Bhubaneswar Kalita, presiding over the session, adjourned the House for the day. Earlier, deputy chairman Harivansh informed members that he had received 25 notices under Rule 267. These called for discussions on SIR, demolition of Delhi slums, alleged discrimination against migrant workers from Bengal, and concerns over air safety. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like AirSense 11 – Smart tech for deep sleep ResMed Buy Now Undo However, all the notices were rejected. Harivansh urged the House to allow MDMK leader Vaiko to raise his Zero Hour mention, pointing out that his Rajya Sabha term ends on July 24 . Vaiko raised the issue of Sri Lankan authorities arresting Indian fishermen, but the protests continued in the background. At noon, when Ghanshyam Tiwari took over proceedings and called for the Question Hour, Opposition MPs remained on their feet. CPI's Sandosh Kumar P, instead of asking his listed question, began raising the SIR issue again. Similar scenes had played out on Tuesday, when the House was adjourned multiple times. Before the adjournment on Wednesday, the government introduced two Bills in the Lok Sabha — the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Furthermore, following the ministry of home affairs' notification of Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation as vice-president, the Election Commission has begun preparations for the election of his successor. The schedule will be announced as soon as the preparatory activities are completed.
The Print
a day ago
- Politics
- The Print
Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day amid protests over electoral rolls revision in Bihar
When the House assembled for the third time at 2 PM, it was adjourned for the day after witnessing similar protests. The Upper House saw its first adjournment after it met at 11 AM, and the second one at noon. Both the times, the House was adjourned after Opposition protested over the Bihar voter list revision issue. New Delhi, Jul 23 (PTI) The Rajya Sabha was repeatedly disrupted on Wednesday as Opposition MPs demanded a discussion on the issue of Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, and finally adjourned for the day soon after it met for the post-lunch sitting. At 2 PM, Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal moved The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill 2025 for discussion and passing. However, the Opposition members continued their protest demanding a discussion on the SIR issue, with some even trooping into the Well of the House, while many others remained on their feet. Opposition MPs raised slogans against the SIR exercise, and also demanded that Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge be allowed to speak. Bhubaneswar Kalita, who was in the Chair, adjourned the House for the day as the protests continued. Earlier in the day, the Upper House witnessed similar protests leading to adjournments. The Opposition members created uproar in the House following rejection of their adjournment notices demanding discussion on various issues, including SIR. Soon after the listed papers were tabled, Deputy Chairman Harivansh informed that he has received 25 notices under Rule 267 demanding discussion on SIR, demolition of slums in Delhi, alleged discrimination against migrant workers from Bengal in other states, and air safety. The Chair, however rejected all the adjournment notices, which led to huge protest and sloganeering by MPs of different Opposition parties. Harivansh urged the House to at least allow Vaiko (MDMK) to raise his Zero Hour mention saying his Rajya Sabha term was ending on July 24. Vaiko raised the issue related to increasing incidents of arrest of Indian fishermen by Sri Lanka even as the protest continued. When the House met at noon, Ghanshyam Tiwari, who was in the Chair, called the Question Hour to be taken up, but Opposition members were on their feet and demanded that the SIR issue be discussed. Protesting members ignored requests by the Chair to allow the Question Hour to proceed, forcing adjournment. When the Chair called the name of CPI's Sandosh Kumar P to ask his supplementary question, he started raising the SIR issue. On Tuesday also, the Rajya Sabha had witnessed several adjournments, mainly on SIR matter, and could not conduct any substantial business. PTI AO SKC ANU This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Parliament Monsoon Session: Both Houses continue to remain in deadlock over Opposition protests
Opposition protests continued to rock Parliament proceedings on Wednesday (July 23, 2025) as both Houses were adjourned for an hour, minutes after commencing on the day. Parliament failed to transact any business on Tuesday (July 22, 2025) too. In both Houses, Opposition members protested demanding a special discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar by the Election Commission of India (ECI), ahead of the Assembly elections there. Parliament Monsoon Session: Follow LIVE updates on July 23, 2025 Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh said that he has received 25 notices under Rule 267 demanding a discussion on the SIR in Bihar. A few other issues such as the 'discrimination against Bengali migrant workers' and the increasing number of air safety incidents in the country were also raised. However, Mr. Harivansh rejected all notices and the Opposition members resorted to loud protests immediately. Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) leader Vaiko tried raising the issue of Indian fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy but the Upper House was adjourned amid loud protests. Similar scenes prevailed in the Lok Sabha too as Opposition members crowded the Well of the House demanding discussion over various issues. There was no let up in the protests and Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House after his repeated requests to allow the proceedings failed.
