Parliament Live: Privacy not an absolute right, says Arun Jaitley on Aadhaar Bill in Rajya Sabha

PM jumps from one vision to another: Rahul on govt’s Pak policy

“What is required is a coherent strategy. PM does not have that vision. He jumps from one vision to another,” said Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on the Modi government’s policy on Pakistan.

“My party wants Aadhaar to be confined to the targeting of subsidies,” said Ramesh, as he said that Congress wants Clause 57 of the Aadhaar legislation to be dropped.

A person should have the option to opt out of Aadhaar: Jairam Ramesh in RS

“I don’t have an Aadhaar number. I don’t need one,” said Congress leader Jairam Ramesh. He added that he did not need it because he does not take the benefit of any subsidies.

“I believe that if you read this legislation in this current form, it makes it a mandatory proposition as opposed to a voluntary proposition,” said Ramesh.

“Every individual must have the option to opt out of Aadhaar,” he said.

Don’t embarrass the country: Congress tells govt

“This government’s Pakistan policy has been aptly described by Kapil Sibal. It is like an unguided missile which is a spectacle when it is fired but loses its course,” said Scindia.

“On one hand, our soldiers are sacrificing their lives. Farmers are committing suicide. And you are giving lessons on nationalism?” he said. “Don’t embarrass the country,” he added.

Congress attacks govt over policy on Pakistan

“Talks are necessary between India and Pakistan. But it has to be strategic and process-driven,” said Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia in Lok Sabha.

“Does your policy involve Pakistan and Hurriyat leaders holding talks with each other? Does it involve only exchange of shawls and saris between Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif?” he said.

National security valid ground for sharing information: Jaitley in RS

“The only question is, can national security be the ground for sharing information? The answer is yes,” Arun Jaitley cites US judgements while debating  Aadhaar Bill in Rajya Sabha.

“Privacy not an absolute right,” says Jaitley

“Privacy not an absolute right, it is subject to a restriction that it can be restricted by a procedure established by law, " Arun Jaitley in Rajya Sabha. “Present law is completely different. It borrows UPA’s idea (UID), but the privacy law is much more tightened.

Jaitley takes on Yechury in RS

“If you criticize me, it is your freedom of speech. If I criticize you, it is my intolerance?” Arun Jaitley to Sitaram Yechury in Rajya Sabha

(In Lok Sabha)

Lok Sabha Speaker refers the issue of alleged bribery involving TMC MPs to Ethics Committee for investigation and report

Tapes should be investigated, says Sitaram Yechury

Even as Question Hour begins, the House is still being rocked by members asking for a probe into the sting. Sitraram Yechury called it a “scam of the highest order”. NDTV reports sources who say that internal members of TMC are seeking a probe as well.

Derek O’Brien, however says that the video is doctored; Sitaram Yechury maintains that the tapes must be investigated even if they are doctored. 

Sitaram Yechury: Please do not protect corruption in the House

PJ Kurien: I understand what you say. Earlier the House was unanimous, now it is divided. I cannot give any directions. 

The Deputy Chairman, directed the other members to carry on with their work, while CPI-M created ruckus in the Rajya Sabha.

Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien pleaded the members of the Sabha to maintain order in the House. 

Gouri Chatterjee writes for Firstpost about the sting operation and the state of affairs in West Bengal, here is an excerpt: 

“True, the videos of ruling Trinamool leaders accepting thick wads of notes so brazenly, nay, so matter of factly, do leave one rather shaken. Is it the sight of the money itself, I wonder, stacks of currency that few in an industry-less, jobless, economically backward state like Bengal have seen at one go? Or is it the manner of the exchange, so common place, so routine that the politicians don’t even bother to probe deeply into who is dishing out so much cash so willingly.”

Read more here .

Chair calls upon CPI-M to maintain their good reputation: 

The deputy chairman PJ Kurien commented that CPI-M should maintain their good reputation by not causing an uproar in the well. To this, Sitaram Yechury said that they defend the integrity of the house. 

We defend the integrity of this house: Sitaram Yechury in Rajya Sabha

— ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2016

Uproar in Rajya Sabha; CPM demands probe into the alleged sting showing TMC leaders accepting cash for favours.

— ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2016

Sting operation causes uproar in Rajya Sabha

A video was released on Monday showing 11 members of the Trinamool Congress accepting bribes. The sting operation caused a bigger stir, a fter TMC gave a clean chit to all of the 11 members caught accepting bribes. 

Derek O’Brien is quoted by The Indian Express : “We have given a notice for discussion under Rule 267. This is a first when foreign funds are being used before elections to influence Indian elections. There is money coming in from abroad. We are a transparent party and we want to find out the truth about who funded this company, when it was incorporated, and how they are trying to distort the election process.”

RSS should stop making such comments, says Uma Bharti in Rajya Sabha

Now Uma Bharti is not happy with the RSS comments and she is making it clear in the Rajya Sabha. “RSS should be told about the criterias in the Indian Constitution,” she says while PJ Kurien tries to dissuade her from ambushing the issue. But in vain. 

“They should stop making such comments,” Bharti manages to raise her voice over the pleades of Kurien.

Azad known for politeness, but he slipped with Islamic State remark, says Jaitley

Now Arun Jailtey speaks on the RSS issue in Rajya Sabha. He says, “Ghulam Nabi Azad is known for his politeness. But this time with his comment on RSS he has slipped.”

“Islamic State is an organisation that is spreading terror across the world. To say that it is like any other organisation, I think you have unknowingly given respectability to it,” Jaitley tells Azad.

Azad clarifies remarks on RSS, says never compared it to Islamic State

Azad clarifying his comments says he had said “we condemn organisations like ISIS as much as we condemn the RSS.” 

“Where is the comparison between in the RSS and ISIS?” Azad asks the Rajya Sabha.

“I had said we have to fight anyone who is against humanity,” Azad says.  

Fight not between Hindus, Muslims but that of ideologies, says Azad 

In his reply to BJP’s demands for apology Azad says, “I would like to congratulate the anchors and editors who are fighting despite this government. I would like to congratulate all the Hindu brothers who have returned their awards.”

“The fight is not between Hindu and Muslims in this country. Who says there is a fight between the Hindu and Muslims?” Azad asks . 

“This is fight about ideologies and thoughts,” Azad says.

For the BJP everyone except themselves and RSS are terrorists, says Azad in RS

Amid much shouting from the BJP, Ghulam Nabi Azad tells the Rajya Sabha, “Yeh intolerance jo aap bahar karte hai, wohi intolerance aap idhar dikha rahein hain.”

“For the BJP everyone except the BJP and the RSS are terrorists,” Azad tells Rajya Sabha.

For the BJP everyone except themselves and RSS are terrorists, says Azad in RS

Amid much shouting from the BJP, Ghulam Nabi Azad tells the Rajya Sabha, “Yeh intolerance jo aap bahar karte hai, wohi intolerance aap idhar dikha rahein hain.”

“For the BJP everyone except the BJP and the RSS are terrorists,” Azad tells Rajya Sabha.

BJP demands Cong apology on Azad’s remarks on RSS

Now CNN-IBN reports that Rahul Gandhi has moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha over crop damage. 

Meanwhile in Rajya Sabha BJP MP Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi tells the house, “The Congress should apologise for Ghulam Nabi Azad’s comments on the RSS.”

Clarifying the goverment stand on resrvations, Naqvi says, “The government’s stand on reservation is clear, there is no question of removing quota system.” 

This comes in the backdrop of the RSS saying on Sunday that reservations will harm the country to which Azad has likened the RSS to the the Islamic State.

Azad’s remarks on RSS to Oppn’s reservations on  Aadhaar Bill: Issues likely to rock Parliament today

Even before the Parliament began on Monday, reports suggest that fireworks are likely in both houses of the Parliament. According to NDTV while the opposition is going to ask for extention of the first phase of the budget session and are also against the government taking the Aadhaar Bill as a money bill. 

Meanwhile the BJP taking exception to Ghulam Nabi Azad’s comments on the RSS is likely to ask the Congress for an apology. NDTV reports they are also likely to question Rahul Gandhi’s dual citizenship. 

Given these controversial issues are on the agenda, the Parliament today is may not go smoothly. 

In Lok Sabha on Friday, the Aadhaar Bill was passed after extensive discussion among the members. Arun Jaitley presented his case for the bill. Aadhaar Bill was passed as a money bill. 

#Flash The Aadhaar Bill 2016 passed in LS.

— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2016

Arun Jaitley on Aadhaar Bill

Arun Jaitley in Lok Sabha said that the Aadhar Bill is not so that information may be collected about people, but that the benefits reach everyone.

Lok Sabha debates the Aadhar Bill

Aadhaar Bill to be passed as a money bill, which means that it cannot be amended in the Rajya Sabha. Congress demanded that a standing committe be put in place.

Opposition members create a ruckus

Vijila Satyanant, AIADMK (Tamil Nadu) speaks about the pitiable condition of fisherman and how the Sri Lankan navy is encroaching upon Indian waters and worsening conditions for the fishermen who bring revenue to the country.

Satyanant maintains her speech even amid ruckus being created by the Opposition members.

Sri Sri controversy rocks Rajya Sabha again

The Sri Sri issue was brought up by the Opposition in the House again, the Government defended the event and said that the Opposition should not politicise the even unecessarily. Jairam Ramesh brought up ecological destruction. 

JDU questioned as to how Sri Sri was refusing to pay the fine and if he was above the law. 

Opposition cornered the government and alleged that the Sri Sri event is paralysing New Delhi.

Shashi Tharoor: Public spending on education is not just inadequate but under utilised.

Shashi Tharoor: First time in living memeory that FM has not even talked about the defence budget.

Shashi Tharoor: Plagiarism is of course the sincerest form of flattery.

Shashi Tharoor: It is not a game-changing government. It is a name-changing government. Saare naam badal diye (They have changed all the names).

Shashi Tharoor: This is a leap year budget; clearly, because it requires a leap of faith.

Shashi Tharoor: They promised 6 crore toilets. Actual achievement? Ten percent of that.

Shashi Tharoor: Making promises with no intent to fulfill them is not new for this government.

Shashi Tharoor: There is no money to help women, even for what has been pledged by this government.

Shashi Tharoor: The government is taking up UPA ideas. I am very glad.

Shashi Tharoor: There are some positives too. Increased allocations for Swacch Bharat are welcome. MNREGA, however is not the highest ever allocation as claimed by the FM.

Shashi Tharoor: The el Nino effect last year took points away from our GDP growth. The government has overlooked the warnings on climate change. I wish the Prime Minister good luck.

Shashi Tharoor: I hope you are not getting your economics from Baba Ramdev, Mr Jaitley.

Shashi Tharoor: Normally, growth implies profits, wages etc are all growing. Here we have a peculiar situation where none of these are growing. So how do we have the government projecting a 7 percent GDP growth?

Shashi Tharoor: Your tax costs more than your dinner. This will really trouble the middle classes in our country.

Shashi Tharoor: Ghar ki murgi daal barabar, is sarkar ki wajah se ghar ki murgi sach mein daal ke barabar ho gayi hai.

Shashi Tharoor uses shayari to make his points:

Ghalib would have said: Hazaaron Khwaison aisi, ki har khawish pe dum nikhle, hum chale sasta petrol lene

–

Alvida kehte huye jab maine is shaks se poocha ki koi nishani to do

Woh muskurate huye bole 15% tax lelo

Shashi Tharoor: Indirect taxes are regressive. They hurt the poor more.

Shashi Tharoor addresses the House on the Budget:

Fiscal consolidation

Job creation 

increasing savings

Improving investor sentiment 

The budget falls short on all these aspects.

Lok Sabha adjourned till 2.45 pm after a lively session on the Ishrat Jahan.

Rajnath Singh: There should never be any politics over terror.

Opposition disrupts Rajnath Singh’s speech shouting, “Humein bhi bolne ka mauka do. Mauka do” (Give us an opportunity to speak as well).

Rajnath Singh: Intelligence inputs do not constitute has proof

Commotion ensues in Lok Sabha.

Rajnath Singh (Minister of Home Affairs) speaks in Lok Sabha

Kirit Somaiyya, BJP: Agar Ishrat Jahan ko inhone heroine nahi banaya hota, toh 26/11 nahi hota (If they had not made Ishrat a heroine, we would not have had a 26/11)

Anurag Thakur (BJP): Why are the key people involved always invisible? The files are missing. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are not there. How many things will be made invisible? How many things will get ’lost'?

Satya Pal Singh (BJP): Top Congress leader called me and asked me to lie. (about the Ishrat Jahan case)

Satya Pal Singh (BJP): SIT has never been misused like it was in this Ishrat Jahan case.

Former SIT chief, Satya Pal Singh blames then Home Ministry for Ishrat Jahan cover-up.

Satya Pal Singh (BJP): Mera naam Satya Pal hai aur main satya bolta hoon.

Satya Pal Singh (BJP): Investigators were biased on Ishrat Jahan being fake encounter. 

Kailash Narayan Singh Deo (BJD):  Why are we seeking for an eye-to-eye revenge? We cannot be seen as partisan? We cannot be seen has those stopping the natural progress of investigation.

Kailash Narayan Singh Deo (BJD): There have been ample attempts to influence this investigations. The case is not whether she is a terrorist or not, but about a fake encounter. The case does not even have a chargesheet. The seven accused from Gujarat police are still in service and have been promoted. What is the impact of this case? We are all doing votebank politics.

Kailash Narayan Singh Deo (BJD):  It has been 12 years, not once case has been brought forth to corroborate the case.

Kailash Narayan Singh Deo: The politics around Ishrat Jahan case has exemplified the deep-rooted rot in our judicial system. Political parties across the board. Both UPA and NDA have played politics with Ishrat Jahan than giving the case its due.

BJP: UPA has always misused CBI.

Nishikant Dubey: Congress only indulges in votebank politics.

Nishikant Dubey: There was nothing done between 2004 and 2009. It is Congress’s conspiracy to jail Narendra Modi and Amit Shah

Nishikant Dubey: NIA was not made by the BJP. It is clear through NIA documents that there was correpodence between CBI and Intelligence units that it recieved a threat against leaders after Godhra including Narendra Modi.

Nishikant Dubey: There were three heads made for SIT. Why was there a reason to change so many chairpersons?

BJP: UPA government was aware that Ishrat Jahan had links to the LeT. Congress has a history of playing politics over terror.

Congress MPs stage a walkout in Lok Sabha.

Nishikant Dubey: There should not be politics at the cost of integrity of our country

Ishrat Jahan issue being discussed in Lok Sabha

Matter brought by Nishikant Dubey (BJP)

Arun Jaitley makes an appearance in Lok Sabha; clarifies government’s stance on Vijay Mallya case: 

The first sanction was made in 2004. The second renewal were given in 2008. The accounts were declared as NPA, in 2009. Then after, notwithstanding the fact that they were declared as NPA, restructuring was done in 2010. These dates speak for themselves. The total mount as of today is 9091.40 crore. The banks have started taking action, assets are being attached. I can tell this House that the banks will go on to recover the entire amount that is due to them. Cases have been filed all over the country, counter cases have been filed. Banks will take every possible action to get the money back. 

Some accounts become NPA due to economic climate. But there are some cases of wilful default bordering on fraud — banks will go all out to recover the money in the second case.

Rajiv Pratap (of BJP):

There are other small vendors and individuals who were involved with Vijay Mallya’s companies. Has the NDA government anything to do with this money? All the loans were given during the UPA government.

Mallikarjun Kharge brings up the Vijay Mallya escape in Lok Sabha: 

Bad loan report was raised in Lok Sabha. Why have SBI officers not taken any action against Vijay Mallya?

Congress-BJP blame game: 

Arun Jaitley: Congress filed FEMA case only when Lalit Modi when abroad. Government will use all legal strategies to get Mallya back.

(Outside the Parliament)

Rahul Gandhi said that they (Congress) would like to react on the Vijay Mallya issue. “If they allow us to react (on Vijay Mallya issue), we will. But I doubt they will allow. Government does not allow us to speak. PM does not like to discuss these issues,” he said. 

If they allow us to react (on Vijay Mallya issue), we will. But I doubt they will allow: Congress VP Rahul Gandhi

— ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2016

If they allow us to react (on Vijay Mallya issue), we will. But I doubt they will allow: Congress VP Rahul Gandhi

— ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2016

Jaitley assures the House that the CBI will get the money back: 

Arun Jaitley said that the CBI is probing the case and that they had every intention to get back every single rupee from Vijay Mallya. “Several of his assets have been attached and banks are doing what they can to recover money from Vijay Mallya. He had left India before the banks could move the courts. Mallya was given banking facilities in 2004, when his account was not even in order,” he said.

The question is not about who gave loans to Mallya, the question is why was he allowed to leave India-Jairam Ramesh in Rajya Sabha

— ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2016

Banks did not file case till 5th March, when AG told that Vijay Mallya left the nation: Jairam Ramesh in RS

— ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2016

Jairam Ramesh on the Vijay Mallya escape: 

The leader of the house tried to portray that all the loans were given during UPA rule, however, the banks did not file the case till 5 March. Under the circumstances, the key issue is, why were the banks asked to delay approaching the courts? Why was Vijay Mallya allowed to leave India? This is the real issue that the leader of the House has evaded.

Opposition MPs storm the well chanting, “Vapas lao, vapas lao” (Bring him back)

Sharad Yadav:

Those with money will always escape, there can be nothing done about that is there? This is the state of affairs in this country.

Vijay Mallya is not a needle that he couldn't be caught. He can be seen for 1 km away: GN Azad in RS

— ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2016

Ghulam Nabi Azad: 

We have never recommended anyone for a bank loan. Whoever is involved — politicians or bankers, put them under probe.

Arun Jaitley defends the Government:

The Opposition has raised pertinent questions. CBI is investigating the matter. Through restructuring, he was given more benefits. If you go through the dates, it tells its own story. Justice will be served. 

He had left before instructions to seize his passports were sent. There was no way to stop him without the right documents. We cannot forget that he was given loans under the UPA government.

Ghulam Nabi Azad: Without the help of the government, he could not have escaped.

Ghulam Nabi Azad: Why wasn’t timely action taken?

Congress corners the government over Vijay Mallya’s escape from India.

Rajya Sabha discusses Vijay Mallya’s escape. Ghulam Nabi Azad questions governments failure to arrest him, inspite of having intelligence information.

PM Modi recites Nida Fazli’s Safar Mein Dhoop Toh Hogi

Swachhata Jan andolan ban ne ki Disha mein ja rha hai: PM Modi in Rajya Sabha

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2016

Humari Parliament ne swatantrata ke baad kabhi swacchta pe debate nahi kari thi, ab 2-3 ghanta debate hoti hai: PM Modi in Rajya Sabha

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2016

Aapne jo cheezein viraasat mein di hain, un hi ki safaai karne mein humein waqt lag rha hai: PM Modi in Rajya Sabha

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2016

Swachhata Jan andolan ban ne ki Disha mein ja rha hai: PM Modi in Rajya Sabha

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2016

Humari Parliament ne swatantrata ke baad kabhi swacchta pe debate nahi kari thi, ab 2-3 ghanta debate hoti hai: PM Modi in Rajya Sabha

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2016

Aapne jo cheezein viraasat mein di hain, un hi ki safaai karne mein humein waqt lag rha hai: PM Modi in Rajya Sabha

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2016

I am no Manmohan Singh, but I also know a few things, says PM Modi

“The previous government just formed committees in the name of skill development. I am not an economist like Manmohan Singh, thats why I am not that knowledgeable. But I know some things. We should aim to double the income of farmers by 2022,” says PM Narendra Modi as Opposition creates ruckus in Rajya Sabha.

Swachhata Jan andolan ban ne ki Disha mein ja rha hai: PM Modi in Rajya Sabha

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2016

Humari Parliament ne swatantrata ke baad kabhi swacchta pe debate nahi kari thi, ab 2-3 ghanta debate hoti hai: PM Modi in Rajya Sabha

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2016

Aapne jo cheezein viraasat mein di hain, un hi ki safaai karne mein humein waqt lag rha hai: PM Modi in Rajya Sabha

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2016

I am no Manmohan Singh, but I also know a few things, says PM Modi

“The previous government just formed committees in the name of skill development. I am not an economist like Manmohan Singh, thats why I am not that knowledgeable. But I know some things. We should aim to double the income of farmers by 2022,” says PM Narendra Modi as Opposition creates ruckus in Rajya Sabha.

Modi quotes Indira in Rajya Sabha

PM Narendra Modi evokes former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and said: “Duniya mein do tarah ke log hain, ek karya karne wale aur doosre jo uska shrey(credit) lete hain. Aap in mein se pehli tarah ka vyakti banne ka prayas karein kyunki iss mein competition bahaut kam hai, ye baat Indira ji ne kahi thi (There are two kinds of people in the world. One who work and the others who take the credit for the work done. Try to be the kind who work because there’s no competition there. This is what Indira ji had said).”

Duniya mein do tarah ke log hain, ek karya karne wale aur doosre jo uska shrey(credit) lete hain-PM Modi in Rajya Sabha

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2016

Aap in mein se pehli tarah ka vyakti banne ka prayas karein kyunki iss mein competition bahaut kam hai, ye baat Indira ji ne kahi thi-PM

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2016

PM Modi hits out at Congress with his words: 

Accha hota ki jab satta mei thhe to binocular lekar bhi kaam kar lete": PM in RS

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2016

I am grateful to GN Azad, he brought a record of people who didnt have accounts under Jan Dhan Yojna. He worked as if with a microscope: PM

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2016

PM Modi lashes out at Congress:

Opposition has looked into my words with a microscope. 

Microscope se nahi, binocular dekh ke kaam kiya hota toh bahut acha kaam hota (Forget a microscope, if they had done their work even with binoculars, they would have been able to do a good job).

PM Narendra Modi: We need to focus on incremental improvement towards quantum jumps in terms of growth.

PM Narendra Modi: Good governance implies accountability and transparency and this is what leads to sustained growth.

PM Narendra Modi on good governance: 

Decentralisation is key. Accountability and transparency are important.

PM Narendra Modi: Our government has focussed extensively on transparency.

PM Narendra Modi: Policy driven government is what works, not based on individual wishes.

PM Narendra Modi: The Upper House is a chamber of ideas that guides the nation. Both Houses must work together, they are a part of the same structure and with differences, difficulties will only increase.

PM Narendra Modi: When we criticise Congress, it is called as an attack on the Opposition.

PM Narendra Modi: Mrutyu ko kabhi dosh nahi lagta. Kabhi kabhi lagta hai congress ko aisa vardaan hai. Vardaan yeh ki agar hum Congress ki alochana karein, vipaksh pe hamla, vipaksh pe aarop. Yeh kabhi nahi aata ki Congress par aarop. Congress ek aisa hai – jisko badnaami nahi milti. (No one ever blames death, sometimes it feels like Congress also has such a boon. Congress is always called the Opposition, never gets a bad name)

PM Narendra Modi: Mrutyu kabhi badnam nahi hota. Mrutyu par aarop nahi lagta. (Death never gets infamy, it never gets blamed)

PM Narendra Modi: After a long time, various issues affecting the different parts of the nation were discussed.

PM Narendra Modi: I thank the Opposition for allowing debates in the house. I am glad that over 300 amendments were passed in the session till now.

PM Narendra Modi: The President said that the house must function properly and we have all taken his words seriously and we all have made the house proceedings function smoothly.

PM Modi addresses Rajya Sabha through Motion of Thanks to President’s address.

NGT hearing questions the amount of money that was spent in clearing the river banks for the Art of Living event.

NGT questions Art of Living organisers strategies of waste management.

Special Protection Group (SPG) unlikey to certify structures made by third party. Without clearance from SPG, PM Modi is unlikely to attend the event.  (as reported by CNN-IBN)

CPWD Report: Build an alternate stage for Prime Minister, as the current one is not stable.

NGT Hearing: Art of Living counsel stated that there will be no activity which violates NGT order and that the event will maintain sufficient distance from river. 

Prakash Javadekar said that they have submitted the affidavit the NGT asked for and would not like to comment further. 

NGT Hearing: Art of Living counsel stated, there will be no activity which violates NGT order, will maintain sufficient distance from river

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2016

We've today given affidavit NGT asked for. Matter with NGT,I will not speak: Prakash Javadekar #WorldCultureFestival pic.twitter.com/A0jL3feOna

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2016

Environment activists claim that the event will cause severe damage to the floodplains of Yamuna. Delhi Police has also questioned the structural stability of the bridge.

Farmers also protest the Art of Living event 

Farmers claim that their farm land was converted into a parking lot and that they will go on a hunger-strike. They also were not compensated properly, except a few. “It is our farm land and we are unable to sit in our own fields. We are being shunned from our farms for three days, our crops have been destroyed.” 

(As reported by CNN IBN)

Green Panel slams government and seeks response from the Environment Ministry.

Defence Minister likely to list out other events in Rajya Sabha where the army has helped out, reports CNN IBN .

Sri Sri: I appeal to all parties to not politicize World Culture Festival 2016. Its to unite all cultures, nations, religions and  ideologies. Let’s come together

I appeal to all parties to not politicize #WCF2016. Its to unite all cultures, nations, religions & ideologies. Let's come together: Sri Sri

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2016

Delhi Pollution Control Panel says that no permission was granted for Art of Living Sri Sri’s World Culture Festival event.

Ministry of Water Resources informs NGT it has not granted permission for ‘World Cultural Festival’ scheduled from 11 – 13 March.

NGT: Was an environmental assessment conducted?

NGT to MOEF: How did you think the construction was temporary? Submit affidavit and answer our questions. Don’t test our patience. 

(As reported by CNN IBN)

According to CNN IBN, NGT pulled up the Environment Ministry over the clearances given to Art of Living Sri Sri’s World Culture Festival.

I don’t think there have been any lapse on the part of State and Central Government with regard to the Jat reservation riots: HM Rajnath Singh in Rajya Sabha

I don't think there have been any lapse on the part of State & Central Govt with regard to #Jatreservation: HM Rajnath Singh in RS

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2016

Rajnath Singh: We are all working towards this. The concerned teams are doing their best. All this happens with mutual cooperation. 212 arrested and 370 FIRS have been registered.

Sharad Yadav: Making committees is about running away from your responsibilities. How do they account for the destruction that was brought forth in Haryana? How and when will the committee present its solution? How will they really tackle this?

Kumari Selja, INC, Haryana questions about the Jat row agitation and about how was the state intelligence was so mute? 

Was is not due to the utter failure of state and central government? How will you heal this and account for this? 

“Oonth ke moonh mein jeera?" she says.

Defence Minister Parrikar to respond in Rajya Sabha about the use of army, reports CNN IBN

Defence Minister Parrikar to respond in Rajya Sabha about the use of army, reports CNN IBN

Question hour begins in Rajya Sabha.

Rajya Sabha adjourned for two minutes over uproar caused by Opposition members about the Sri Sri event.

Deputy Chairman: Shouting members please go back to your seat. It is going to be question hour.

Opposition MPs raise slogans of ‘Army ka galat istemaal mat karo, Raksha karo’

Uproar in RS over Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's #WorldCultureFestival,Opposition MPs raise slogans of 'Army ka galat istemaal mat karo,Raksha karo'

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2016

Deputy Chairman in RS: You people are becoming a laughing stock before the people

Several MPs including Sharad Pawar had descended into the well shouting, “Nahi Chalegi”. However it is difficult to make out what they are protesting as other MPs diligently read out their speeches.

Rule of sub-judice should apply regarding civil and criminal courts. Tribunals do not come under this. Sharad Yadav brings up a point of order in response to Arun Jaitley quoting rules about how matters under sub-judice should not be discussed in the Sabha.

BJP defends Sri Sri’s event, Naqvi says all required permissions were taken for the event.

Deputy Chairman requests everyone to continue with zero hour, amid loud jeers from the Opposition members.

MA Naqvi in Rajya Sabha: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is committed towards protecting environment. It would be wrong to doubt his commitment towards nature. 

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is committed towards protecting environment. It would be wrong to doubt his commitment towards nature- MA Naqvi in RS

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2016

Congress disrupts the house, says environmental laws were flouted.

Arun Jaitley: Iski sunvayi yahan hogi ya phir green tribunal mein hogi? (Will this we discussed here or in the green tribunal)

If a matter is pending in front of a tribunal, it should be discussed in the house, as per the rules.

Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi says that a green tribunal is hearing the matter. Questioning Sri Sri’s intentions is not right.

While, BJP’s Mahesh Giri says that some people are conspiring to derail the event — that there is a “political controversy”. All religions are allowed to conduct events, then why is there an objection to this, he asks.

Sitaram Yechury: Why has the army been roped in for a private function?

Congress: This government has claimed to be a champion of the environment, what about Yamuna? It should not be at the cost of Yamuna

Opposition targets government for Sri Sri event.