Cong coined ‘Hindu terror’; weakened India’s battle

New Delhi, July 31

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh accused the previous Central Government under the United Progressive Alliance for “weakening” India’s fight against terror, amid bedlam and continual adjournments. The House was finally adjourned after 3.30 pm. 

A furious Central Government blamed the Congress for the “debilitated” battle against terror amid great din caused by the Congress storming the Well.

"In this House in 2013, the then Home Minister (P Chidambaram) had coined the new terminology 'Hindu terrorism' in order to change the direction of probe. It weakened our fight. As a consequence, Hafiz Sayeed (LeT founder) of Pakistan had congratulated the then Home Minister. Our government will never allow such a shameful situation again."

"Terrorism is the biggest challenge facing the country. Neither Parliament nor the country should appear divided on this... On the one hand, our jawans making the supreme sacrifice while fighting against terror, on the other we have this noise and disruption. How can the country accept this," he said, asking the House to settle down for a debate.

Singh also made a statement on Gurdaspur attack. The statement, same as the one made in Rajya Sabha, detailed the attack of July 27, when three militants, believed to have been from Pakistan, infiltrated the border and laid siege on a police station in Gurdaspur for 12 hours before they were killed.

The House, silent throughout Singh's statement, broke into chaos soo after, with the Congress storming the Well over the Lalit Modi controversy and Vyapam scam.

The House has been witnessing disruptions and repeated adjournments ever since the Monsoon Session began on July 21, with the Opposition cornering the Central Government over the controversy three of its key leaders — External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje over the controversy surrounding fallen cricket czar Lalit Modi and Madhya Pradesh CM over the Vyapam scam.  

In the afternoon, which is reserved for Private Members' Business on Fridays, Congress members trooped into the Well raising the issue of quorum.

Kharge said: "We always support Private Members' Bills... the Monsoon Session of Parliament has not yet started. Agitation is going on. How can Parliament function?" His party colleague Jyotiraditya Scindia said there was an issue of quorum as the members protesting in the Well cannot be counted for the purpose.

However, despite continual sloganeering and demands for the controversial leaders’ dismissal in the House, the House managed to conduct some business on Friday: the Question Hour as well as Zero Hour mentions were taken up.

A livid Congress hit back at Singh: Leader of Congress Mallikarjun Kharge later accused Singh of making a political speech on India’s fight against terror, dismissing the Home Minister’s claims that the Congress had adversely affected the cause.

The Rajya Sabha has also been witnessing similar scenes of bedlam. — PTI