NEW DELHI, AUG 2 (AGENCIES): Parliament is set for another week of confrontation when it reconvenes on Monday, with the Opposition preparing to intensify its attacks on the Centre over Home Minister Amit Shah and the alleged “Chanda Chori” (donation theft) at Ayodhya’s Ram temple, while the government plans to push several key Bills in both Houses.
The government has listed at least six Bills for consideration in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, including the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (Amendment) Bill, Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, Indian Statistical Institution Bill, Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill, and the Appropriation Bill for excess grants for 2022-23.
Although not included in the official legislative agenda, the contentious Foreign Contribution Regulation (Amendment) Bill is likely to be taken up in the Lok Sabha later in the week after its passage was deferred during the Budget Session.
There is, however, no indication that the government will introduce a revised delimitation Bill, which failed to move forward earlier this year.
Parliament has already cleared the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, which has received Presidential assent, as well as the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill.
One House has also passed the Bills relating to increasing the number of Supreme Court judges and amendments to the Registration of Births and Deaths Act. The Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, though not listed for business, has been circulated among Members of Parliament.
The Opposition plans to sharpen its campaign on two fronts– demanding a statement from Amit Shah on police action, including the use of pellet guns against protesting students, and highlighting the alleged donation theft controversy. Floor leaders have decided to raise one issue inside Parliament while protesting the other outside.
Opposition has repeatedly sought Shah’s response, but he has so far declined to make a statement. He was absent during debates on key Home Ministry Bills, including legislation on delayed registration of births and deaths and the bill criminalising insults to Vande Mataram.
He also did not participate in discussions on the anti-paper leak legislation despite being the main target of Opposition criticism.
BJP, meanwhile, has stepped up its counterattack. Senior BJP MP Anurag Thakur has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking breach of privilege proceedings against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over remarks made in the House.
The ruling party has also criticised the Opposition’s “Chanda Chori” skit staged near Parliament, in which Independent MP Pappu Yadav played a priest allegedly stealing donations while Rahul Gandhi participated. Opposition leaders have indicated they will continue using “creative and innovative” forms of protest in the days ahead.
