Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on December 3 lashed at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over recent violence in Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh alleging that the incident was a ‘well-planned conspiracy’ of the saffron party to distract the public from other, more pressing issues.

The former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh accused the administration and police of Sambhal of acting in a biased manner, suggesting that they were behaving as though they were BJP party workers rather than impartial authorities.

On November 24, violence erupted during a court-ordered ASI survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, a 500-year old mosque in Sambhal leading to death of five people. The mosque is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India(ASI),

“Those who want to dig everywhere will someday lose the cordiality and brotherhood of the country,” Yadav said on Lok Sabha speaking during the ongoing winter session of Parliament.

‘Well-planned conspiracy’

“The incident that took place in Sambhal is a well-planned conspiracy…By-elections were supposed to be held in Uttar Pradesh on November 13 but it was deferred to November 20. This government (BJP) does not believe in the Constitution. A petition was filed against Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal. An order for a survey of the mosque was passed even before listening to the other side. On November 19, the survey was conducted and the report was to be given to the Court,” Yadav said.

Uttar Pradesh is ruled by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government.

On November 29, the Supreme Court, while hearing a plea challenging a court order that allowed the survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal on directed the petitioners to approach the High Court for resolution of the matter.

“On November 24, another survey was conducted, during which people gathered to know the reason for the survey. Circle Officer abused the people gathered there and lathi charge was done. After this, police opened fire with their govt and private weapons, during which dozens were injured and 5 innocents were killed,” Yadav said.

Yadav also demanded that action should be taken against the district administration and police of Sambhal. “A murder case should be filed against police and administration and they should be suspended so that people can get justice and such an incident is not repeated in future,”

The Winter Session of Parliament that began on November 25 has been unable to function smoothly due to relentless protests over Adani bribery charges and violence in Sambhal. The proceedings continued without any ruckus for the first time on Tuesday.

Those who want to dig everywhere will someday lose the cordiality and brotherhood of the country.

Parliament Winter Session: Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are expected to function smoothly in the ongoing winter session of Parliament from December 2 onwards, as the Opposition and government have reached an understanding.

Both the houses were adjourned on Monday for the fifth straight day amid protests by opposition members over Adani bribery charges and other issues.

“We already met with the Speaker, and our only demand is that he has to take action to run the House smoothly. We are ready to run the House provided there should be a discussion on the Constitution which they promised us,” Congress MP KC Venugopal said.

Sources said the government has agreed to hold a debate on the Constitution in Parliament on December 13 and 14.

Repeated Adjournments

The Winter Session of ParliamentParliament’s Winter Sessionadjourned for the appreciate disruptions of the proceedings over the Adani issue.

Congress MP and leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has been at the forefront of protests on the Adani issue. The Raebareli MP has sought Adani’s arrest over recent charges.

Last month, Gautam Adani, one of the world’s richest men, and seven others were indicted for fraud by US prosecutors over their alleged roles in a $265 million scheme to bribe Indian government officials to secure power-supply deals. The Adani Group has denied all allegations, calling them “baseless”.

We are ready to run the House provided there should be a discussion on the Constitution which they promised us.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union government has listed 16 bills for the session, which ends on December 20. Five of these bills have been listed for introduction, consideration and passage, while 10 are for consideration and passage, according to the bulletin of the Lok Sabha.

Parliament Winter Session: Some Members of Parliament (MPs) in the Lok Sabha affiliated to the Congress and other opposition parties have expressed reservations over the continued stalling of the Parliament over Adani bribery charges in the ongoing winter session.

The proceedings in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were washed out in first week of the Parliament’s Winter Session ending November 29, marred by protests by the Opposition over a host of issues including the Adani bribery case, Manipur, and violence in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh.

Both the Houses of Parliament were adjourned for the fourthWinter Session of ParliamentRahul Gandhi has been at the forefront of protests on Adani issue. The Raebareli MP, has sought the arrest of Adani over recent charges.

Last month, Gautam Adani, one of the world’s richest men, and seven others were indicted for fraud by US prosecutors over their alleged roles in a $265 million schemeAdani GroupNarendra Modi-led Union government has listed 16 bills for the for the session, which ends on December 20. Five of these bills have been listed for introduction, consideration and passage, while 10 are for consideration and passage, according to the bulletin of the Lok Sabha.

Parliament Winter Session 2024 Bills

The only business the Lok Sabha could do last week was taking up some questions and the adoption of extension of deadline for the Joint Parliamentary Panel (JPC), which is examining the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024.BJP MP, Jagdambika Pal, moved the motion and which was adopted by the Lok Sabha.

The other bills for consideration and passage in the upcoming session include the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, the Railways (Amendment) Bill, the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, and the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill.

The bills listed for introduction also include the Rashtriya Sahkari Vishwavidyalaya Bill, which seeks to establish Rashtriya Sahkari Vishwavidyalaya.

The Punjab Courts (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to amend the Punjab Courts Act, 1918, to enhance the pecuniary appellate jurisdiction of Delhi District Courts from the existing ₹3 lakh to ₹20 lakh, is also listed for introduction in the Winter Session of Parliament.

Parliament Winter Session: Proceedings in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned for the third straight day amid protest by the opposition, minutes after the sessions began on Thursday, November 28. The sessions will now reconvene on November 29.

The third day of Winter Session kicked off on Thursday at 11 am in both Houses. Soon after Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi took oath as a Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad, the opposition started protesting and raising slogans demanding a debate on Adani bribery case, Sambhal violence, Manipur and other issues. The house was adjourned for an hour.

When the house met again at 12 noon, the protests by opposition returned. The Presiding Offfice Krishna Prasad Tenneti requested the protesting members to allow the House to function. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Kiren Rijiju slammed the opposition, naming the Congress party for not letting the House function. Soon after the minister’s remarks, Tenneti annouced the adjournment of Lok Sabha untill 11 am on November 29.

The Winter Session of Parliament began on Monday. The proceedings were adjourned as opposition started protestings in both houses. There was no business on Tuesday on account of Constitution Day. The proceedings were adjourned in both bouses on Wednesday too for the same reason.

The Congress and other opposition parties staged protests demanding a discussion on Manipur violence and bribery charges against the Adani Group. The INDIA bloc is demanding a JPC Probe into allegations against the Adani group. Opposition MPs in both Houses of Parliament raised slogans inside the Parliament.

18 notices rejected in RS 

In Rajya Sabha, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar rejected 18 notices submitted by Opposition MPs demanding a joint parlimentary committee (JPC) probe into Adani bribery charges in the US, Sambhal violence and an increase in crime in Delhi. Opposition MPs shouted slogans forcing adjournment of the Upper House for the day.

Earlier this month, Gautam Adani, one of the world’s richest men, and seven others were indicted for fraud by US prosecutors over their alleged roles in a $265 million schemeAdani GroupNarendra Modi-led Union government has listed 16 bills, including the Waqf Act Amendment Bill, for the for the session, which ends on December 20.

The opposition is demanding a debate on serious allegations, but the government is focused on pushing through its legislative agenda.

Five bills have been listed for introduction, consideration and passage, while 10 are for consideration and passage, according to the bulletin of the Lok Sabha.

The only business the Lok Sabha could do on Thursday was the adoption of extention of deadline for extending the term of the Joint Parliamentary Panel (JPC), which is examining the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024.Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP, Jagdambika Pal moved the motion and which was adopted by the house.