Cong slams govt over Gaza debate row

Congress today lashed out at the government over its reluctance to have a debate in Rajya Sabha on the situation in Gaza strip, trashing as "mystifying, farcical and comical" the reasons assigned by it and accused it of "belittling" Parliament and democracy.
"If this kind of issue cannot be discussed, it will be a very sad day for Parliament. Congress unequivocally condemns the attempt of the BJP-led government to brush this important issue under the carpet and not allow even a modicum of discussion.
"The reasons trotted out by the government for not discussing the issue are farcical and comical. They are untenable and unsustainable," party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi told reporters.

Rajya Sabha proceedings were washed out today as opposition insisted on an immediate discussion on Gaza situation even as Chairman Hamid Ansari said the matter can be taken up at a later date while rejecting government's plea against a debate.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had yesterday written a letter to Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari requesting that a discussion on it, as listed in the business for the day, should be dropped as it could impact India's diplomatic ties with Israel and Palestine.
Slamming the minister over the issue, Singhvi said, "There was no question of writing a letter, when the notice was issued" to take up the matter as once a notice is issued regarding the business of the House it becomes the "property of Parliament".

"It is truly mystifying and regrettable that such a discussion is controlled," he said insisting that hundreds of such discussions on international issues including 1993 riots in Sri Lanka had been discussed in both Houses of Parliament both during the Prime Ministership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee as well as during the UPA rule when Swaraj was the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

In another ruling, Ansari accepted the plea of Leader of the House Arun Jaitley that the issue be not taken up for discussion today and the government will communicate an appropriate date for the same soon.

Though he evaded a direct reply on whether Congress feels that the Rajya Sabha Chairman is under pressure from the government on the issue, Singhvi added, "Today there appeared to be unanimity in the House" for a discussion.
At the outset, the Congress spokesperson said that the party was not going into the merits of the Gaza attack.