Rahul Gandhi
On 3rd October 2021, Ashish Mishra, son of Union Minister of UP Ajay Mishra allegedly ran over and killed farmers by a jeep and two SUVs while the protesters were dispersing. Four farmers and a journalist were mowed down. The three individuals in the vehicles were allegedly lynched by protesters. Ashish Mishra claims to be not present at the time of the incident as he was visiting his ancestral home and was waiting for a wrestling match to start.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) recently had issued a report which suggest that the violence was a part of a pre-planned conspiracy and demands arrest of the accused.
On 15th December 2021, the opposition raised slogans demanding to sack the MoS, Ajay Mishra ‘Teni’. Rahul Gandhi gave an adjournment motion and demanded the discussion of the SIT report in the parliament. He told the reporters, that the central government is making excuses and not allowing the issues to be discussed in the parliament.
His complete statement is as follows:
“It has been said that it is a conspiracy. It is obviously a conspiracy. Everybody knows who is involved. Everybody knows whose son is involved. Everybody knows who was there, when these farmers were killed? The gentleman is a Minister! We want the Minister to resign. We want a discussion in the Parliament, the Prime Minister refuses and they are making all sorts of excuses, because they don’t want to accept the truth.”
On 16th December, Rahul Gandhi had a question scheduled in correspondence to the MSME sector and was slotted to speak during the question hour. However, he raised the Lakhimpur issue, and the house was disrupted with the opposition party members including the TMC leaders protesting in the well of the house with slogans.
When reporters asked BJP leader of the house, Mr. Piyush Goyal on the issue he replied that an investigation is in progress under Supreme Court’s directions and pointed out that matters under judicial considerations cannot be discussed in the parliament. Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs noted the opposition wants discussion on the new Omicron virus and inflation but runs away when these matters are discussed.
The opposition swamped the Parliament with the findings of the report and protested. Both the houses were adjourned for the day.
The winter session in Rajya Sabha commenced on 29th November 2021 and will end on 23rd December 2021.
References:
1. Indian National Congress, Lakhimpur issue: Shri Rahul Gandhi addresses the media in the Parliament, 15THDecember 2021, https://inc.in/media/press-releases/shri-rahul-gandhi-addressed-media-at-parliament-house-new-delhi
2. Hindustan Times News Desk, The opposition wants to discuss Omicron and Inflation but runs away from the Parl: Pralhad Joshi, December 15th 2021, https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/oppn-wants-discussions-on-omicron-inflation-then-runs-away-pralhad-joshi-101639575863763.html
3. Press Trust Of India, Rahul Gandhi calls Ajay Mishra ‘Criminal’, Lok Sabha adjourns for the day amid uproar, 16thDecember 2021, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/rahul-gandhi-calls-ajay-mishra-criminal-lok-sabha-adjourns-for-the-day-amid-uproar/articleshow/88318599.cms