Parliament Highlights: AAP MP Raghav Chadha suspended; Sanjay Singh's suspension extended in Rajya Sabha

India stands with Manipur. I assure the people of the state that there shall be both peace and progress there. We are committed to restore normalcy and uphold the dignity of women, says PM Modi.

Congress has a very old apathy towards the Northeast. They have never cared for the region, says PM Modi

On Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury's suspension from the House, Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje says, "What Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury did yesterday was very wrong...What did he want to say? 140 crores people of the country were watching you...This was not an insult to the BJP or the Govt, you are trying to insult the Parliament..."

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to move The Central Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2023 today for consideration and passing in Lok Sabha.

Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi has called a meeting today of the party's Lok Sabha members to discuss the suspension of Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury from the lower house for “repeated misconduct”. The meeting has been called at the CPP office at the Parliament at 10.30am. Read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a blistering attack on the Opposition in general and the Congress in particular, terming the no-confidence motion brought against the government “God’s blessing”; declaring that citizens had faith in the government and none in the Opposition; mocking the Congress’s recent electoral performance, its obsession with one family, and its poor track record with predictions; accusing his opponents of celebrating and amplifying every negative characterisation of India and effectively telling them to prepare for another stint in opposition. Read more

The Prime Minister did speak on Manipur in the Lok Sabha — the demand from the Opposition that has roiled the monsoon session of Parliament that ends on Friday, allowing key laws to be passed with no discussion — but the Opposition benches were empty, with the opposition parties having walked out minutes before, assuming, after around 90 minutes of the speech, that he was unlikely to touch upon the issue. For some time before walking out, they raised a chorus that went “Manipur, Manipur…” even as the Prime Minister was speaking. Read more

Responding to the walkout by Opposition members while Prime Minister Narendra Modi was replying to the debate in the Lok Sabha on the no-confidence motion, Union Minister Smriti Irani on Thursday said that those whose aim is to loot the country, will not be able to listen to the Prime Minister.

"Those whose aim is not to develop the country but to loot the country, will not be able to listen to PM Modi. They are not able to accept the fact that the people of the country have reposed faith in PM Modi," Smriti Irani said.

Earlier in the day, as the Prime Minister was taking on the Opposition on several issues in Lok Sabha, during the debate on no-confidence motion, the members of I.N.D.I.A bloc staged a walkout from the House, literally making the Opposition benches empty.

During his speech PM Modi took a dig at opposition parties, saying it is blessing of God that opposition have brought a no-confidence motion against his government and that NDA and BJP will come back with a grand victory, breaking all previous records in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

The Monsoon Session of parliament ends today with the violence in Manipur remaining central to the Opposition's protest that led to multiple disruptions and even an unsuccessful no-trust vote.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the Congress for divding "Maa Bharati" into three parts for political interests and also pointed out that the Katchatheevu Island was ceded to Sri Lanka during the tenure of the Indira Gandhi government in 1974.

In a strong attack on Congress, PM Modi said, during his reply to a debate on a no-confidence motion, "While Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister, an aerial bombing in Mizoram happened and Katchatheevu island, now a part of Sri Lanka, was given to another country. "Was it not a part of Maa Bharati?

In a strong attack on Congress, a day after Rahul Gandhi criticised Modi government of neglecting Manipur and inaction over the crimes against women, PM Modi said, "What has been said about Maa Bharti has deeply hurt the sentiments of every Indian...Don't know why some people wishing for the death of Bharat Mata. Nothing is more unfortunate than this."

He said that these are the people who divided Maa Bharati into three pieces. "When Maa Bharati was to be freed from the chains of slavery, then these people chopped arms of Maa Bharati," he added.

"Just ask those who have gone out, what is Katchatheevu? And where is it located? DMK Government, their CM writes to me – Modi ji bring back Katchatheevu. It is an island but who gave it to another country. Was it not a part of Maa Bharati (Mother India)? And you broke it. It happened under the leadership of Indira Gandhi," PM Modi said.

There is “no delay” in the officers' recruitment cycle in the Indian Army and there is a “well-established procedure” with a fixed timeline and all applicants including Veer Naris are “treated at par” in the recruitment process, the government has informed a parliamentary panel.

Action taken by the government on the observations or recommendations contained in the thirty-first report (17th Lok Sabha) of the Standing Committee on Defence on the subject 'Assessment of Welfare Measures available to war widows/Families in Armed Forces' was presented to Lok Sabha and laid in Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

The Committee in its report has noted that compassionate appointments are being made by concerned Service Headquarters of the Army, Navy and Air Force to widows or families of defence personnel, whereby widows of defence personnel, who lose their lives while performing the duties are eligible for applying for short Service Commission (Non-Technical) and (Technical). They are eligible even if they have children but should not have been re-married, it said.

Launching a scathing attack on Congress over its dynastic politics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the Congress's "darbar" system had destroyed various leaders of the country.

While responding to the no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister said that the potrait of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was put up in Parliament only after a non-Congress government came to power. The Congress always gives importance dynasty above everyone else.

He said, "The Congress’s “darbar” system – a reference to loyalists to the Gandhi family – had destroyed various leaders."

“In Congress’s darbar system, they stole opportunities from many leaders, including BR Ambedkar. They made fun of his clothes. Their darbarwaad destroyed various leaders. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s portrait found a place in Parliament only after a non-Congress came to power,” the Prime Minister said.

Congress Lok Sabha MPs meeting called by CPP Chairperson Sonia Gandhi at 10.30 AM today to discuss the suspension of Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. The meeting has been called at CPP office at the Parliament.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday slammed the opposition alliance INDIA as a collection of arrogant dynasties who will take India back by two centuries as he exuded confidence that people will bless garib ka beta with a record-breaking mandate in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

In his over 130-minute reply in Lok Sabha to the no-confidence brought by opposition parties, Modi seized on Rahul Gandhi's now-expunged reference to his government's alleged assault on 'Bharat Mata' in Manipur during his speech a day before to launch a blistering counterattack, saying some are wishing death to 'Maa Bharti' even though their party has a history of dividing India and assaulting its people.

The Congress chopped off mother India's limbs and divided her into three when the time came for freeing her from slavery, he said, describing

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday easily defeated a vote of no-confidence taken by the opposition over his handling of a deadly ethnic conflict in Manipur, and in a two-hour speech dismissed the move as a vain attempt to "defame India".

More than 180 people have been killed, many hundreds more wounded and tens of thousands rendered homeless since May in Manipur, but Modi failed to publicly address the violence until last month.

The no-confidence vote, moved by a new, Congress-led opposition alliance called "INDIA", was easily defeated as expected, with opposition lawmakers walking out of the legislature in protest even before the motion was put to vote.

Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi on Thursday said that the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A) staged a walkout from the Lok Sabha during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reply to the motion of no confidence as the PM was ‘running away’ from his responsibility towards Manipur.

The Congress leader further said the entire opposition decided to walk out, as the Prime Minister failed to speak on Manipur, wrestlers’ harassment, Chinese intrusions, national security and inflation.

"This no-confidence motion was presented by me in the Lok Sabha as a member of I.N.D.I.A. alliance...After struggling for so many days, after so many difficulties, finally today the country is seeing PM Modi speaking in the Parliament...PM Modi is running away from his responsibility,” Gogoi said while briefing reporters outside the Parliament House.

Reacting to his suspension from Lok Sabh pending an investigation by the privileges committee, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that 'Nirav' means to be silent and his intention was not to insult Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"I have not insulted PM Modi. Modi ji speaks on everything but on Manipur issue, he is sitting 'Nirav', which means sitting silent. 'Nirav' means to be silent. My intention was not to insult PM Modi. PM Modi did not feel that he was insulted, his courtiers (darbari) felt so and brought this proposal against me. I came to know that (the matter) has been referred to the privilege committee and I have been suspended," Chowdhury said.

He alleged that PM Modi every day insulted Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and it is on record. "We have no objection even if PM Modi becomes the Prime Minister for hundred times," he said.

Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav told ANI, "The reason behind the no-confidence motion was Manipur where several women were raped, children were killed and several other incidents but PM didn't say anything about Manipur and didn't stand with the people of Manipur & that's why the opposition staged a walkout."

The Congress on Thursday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he is gripped with a "Congress-phobia" and that is why he criticised the party throughout his speech and spoke about Manipur only for a short time during his reply to a debate on the no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha.

Congress deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi also alleged that the BJP's nationalism is "fake" and "they are not patriots".

Opposition MPs staged a walkout from Lok Sabha when Modi was replying, alleging that there was no reference to Manipur in the first 90 minutes of his speech.

There are 3,696 centrally-protected monuments including temples under the jurisdiction of Archaeological Survey of India, and none of these temples is under a debilitated condition, the government told Parliament on Thursday, reported PTI.

The government was asked whether it is a fact that there are huge number of centuries-old temples in the country which are in "debilitated condition" and needs rejuvenation, and if the Centre has prepared a comprehensive list of such structures in consultation with state governments.

"No such list has been prepared by the ASI," Minister of Culture G Kishan Reddy in Rajya Sabha in his response to the question.

Asked if it is a fact that "there are huge number of centuries-old temples in the country which are in debilitated condition and need rejuvenation," the government only responded about ASI-protected sites.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday described the violence-hit Manipur as a "piece of one's heart", and said that all efforts will be made to restore peace in the northeastern state which will soon walk the path of progress.

"The north-east is our 'jigar ka tukda'. The problems of Manipur are presented in such a manner as if they had begun in the recent past," Modi said.

He assured the people of the strife-torn northeastern state that peace shall soon return as the government is doing everything possible to punish the accused.

“The country is with you; this Parliament is with you. We will together find ways to resolve this challenge, peace will be established again soon. I assure the people of Manipur that the state will again witness progress,” Modi said.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's response to the Opposition's no-confidence motion against his government. He stated that PM Modi's address showcases his "unflinching dedication" to India's progress.

Taking to his official Twitter handle, Jaishankar stated that PM Modi spoke of how differently the world now sees India. He thanked PM Modi for the speech which he said has motivated the entire nation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to all Opposition parties to involve in a collective effort to gain the trust of the people of Manipur and asked them not to exploit the situation in the northeastern state for political gains.

PM Modi further asked the opposition to ‘work together’ for restoring peace in Manipur and bringing normalcy there.

"I want to request the MPs of the Parliament to understand the value of this time. Come and proceed together. In this country, there have been more serious issues in the past, but we found a way to work together. Let's come together. Take people of Manipur in confidence. Don't take advantage of Manipur for doing politics. What has happened there in Manipur is unfortunate. Understand their pain and work for healing it. This should be our only way,” PM Modi said while concluding his speech on the debate on no-confidence motion.