Parliament LIVE updates: Lok Sabha passes Constitutional Amendment Bill with 323 ayes, 3 noes; quota bill to now be presented in Rajya Sabha

Lok Sabha passes the Constitutional Amendment Bill  

The Bill was passed with 323 ayes and 3 noes registered during the voting in the Parliament. 

AIADMK walks out, voting commences for Constitutional Amendment Bill 

AIADMK MPs were not satisfied with the response of Thawar Chand Gehlot on the Bill and M Thambi Durai said that the party is staging a walking out. Now, the House’s lobbies are being cleared for voting on the Bill.

BJP MP Hukmdev Narayan Yadav attacks Congress for never promoting welfare of backwards

Hukmdev Narayan Yadav recalled his interaction with socialist leaders who belonged to the upper caste but fought for the rights of the backwards. Yadav, however, targeted the Congress party for being opportunist and never truly working for the downtrodden.

JDU, SDF support Bill; Shashi Tharoor questions why the Speaker was not given prior notice

JD(U) MP Kaushaendra Kumar said that his party supports the Bill. Whereas, Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF)’s Prem Das Rai also said that his party supports the Bill. 

Meanwhile, Rajesh Ranjan (Pappu Yadav), the rebel RJD member, asked what was the definition of poverty line. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor interrupted in between to question the Speaker Sumitra Mahajan as to why no written notice was given to the Speaker before the bringing up the bill in Lok Sabha. “Can the government now bring up a bill any time it wants it” Tharoor asked.

‘Have the janeu-****dharis or the savarnas have ever faced untouchability?’ asks Asaduddin Owaisi

AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi strongly opposed the Bill and said it’s a fraud on the Constitution. “It’s an insult to BR Ambedkar. It’s against the spirit of the Constitution,” Owaisi said. There is no emprical data to show the savarna people are backward, Owaisi said questioning if they have ever faced untouchability.

‘All’s well that ends well,’ says Apna Dal MP on last day of Parliament’s Winter Session

Anupriya Patel of Apna Dal, MP from Uttar Pradesh, asked the government if the there was a cap on the reservation, so that the law is not misused. Patel said, “All’s well that ends well,” on the Bill being introduced on the last day of the Winter Session. Whereas, INLD’s Dushyant Chautala said that “reservations are a lollipop, when the youth are searching for jobs.” He asked the government to make the caste census data public.

RSP supports Bill but questions govt’s timing 

NK Premachandran of RSP said that his party supports the Bill, however, he claimed that the Bill was brought for electoral purposes. “Why the House is not taken into confidence before bringing in such a historic Bill,” he asked.

BJP says it’s Centre’s responsibility to take care of everybody’s needs

“It is the government’s responsibility to take care of all it’s people of all religions and castes, which is why this bill,” said BJP’s Nand Kumar Singh Chauhan in the Parliament.

Deepender Hooda hopes it’s not another jumla****, IUML MP says Bill only being introduced for electoral benefits

Congress MP from Haryana Deepender Singh Hooda said that, “As per Constitution, it is required to give notice about a bill, however, the goverment seemed confused which is why they chose to bring it up on the last day. I hope it’s not a jumla," he said. Meanwhile, IUML MP  ET Mohammed Basheer, “The real object of this bill is to create a tense situation and influence the results of the upcoming election."

Former NDA ally RLSP’s leader Upendra Kushwaha asks for reservation in judiciary

“I suggest that priority must be given to those who pass out from government schools, and then what is left should be given to those from private schools, Also, there must be reservation in private sector jobs,” said Upendra Kushwaha of RLSP. He, however, questioned as to why the reservation was not 15%, 8%, 5% or 5%. He also asked for reservation in the judiciary along with suggesting extending for two more days so that amendments can be moved in the Bill.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey celebrates Union Cabinet’s decision 

“I came from an economically backward background, and I must say it’s Holi, Diwali for us today, it’s a matter of celebration,” said BJP’s Nishikant Dubey on Union Cabinet clearing the reservation bill.

RJD cries foul, AAP accuses BJP of throwing another ‘jumla’

RJD MP Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav. cried foul saying,  “They are betraying us, it’s a political betrayal. Increase SC/STs reservation to 85% and then give 10 percent to the economically weaker section of the general category." Meanwhile, AAP’s Bhagwat Mann said that it’s just another “jumla” of the _"_Bhartiya Jumla Party". “This looks like a political stunt, which is why they brought up the bill on the last day of the winter session and not on day one,” Mann said.

SP supports Bill but demands 100 percent reservation for all backward sections

Speaking on the quota bill, Dharmendra Yadav of Samajwadi Party (SP) said that there are existing vacancies which need to be filled and that the government should tend to that first. “I support the bill, however, it is a matter of serious concern about the way the reservation bill was raised,” said Yadav. He also demanded the reservation to be extended to 100 percent.

NCP leader Supriya Sule said that she welcomes the Bill, but asks why it has been hurried through the House

Supriya Sule, while quoting Ram Vilas Paswan’s remark, said that she that this is not a political gimmick to bring the Prime Minister Narendra Modi back to power. She also raised the issue of Dhangar reservation.

CPM MP Jitendra Choudhury says his party is not opposing the Bill but suggests changes

Jitendra Choudhury of CPM said that the Left is in-principle not opposing the Bill, but opposing the way the Bill was introduced in the last minute. “In the past, if these kinds of Bills are taken up, the party in power discusses with all stakeholders. But this has been done hastily,” he said. However, he said that the Bill needs to be made more comprehensive and it needed to be deferred to a JPC.

BJD supports quota bill, MP says information on financial status of people must be collected at least every 10 yrs

BJD MP said Bhartruhari Mahtab said that the Bill must be supported in full measure. “The poor people are in need of education, services and employment, irrespective of their caste,” he said. He recalled how the Congress tried to introduce such a reservation, but couldn’t pass the test of law.

NDA ally LJP leader Ram Vilas Paswan supports quota bill, says ‘country is more important than caste’

Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan while supporting the Bill listed out the initiatives of the government on social justice, saying that the Opposition is unnecessarily terming the government as anti-Dalit. The LJP chief said that the quota bill will help the “upper caste” people who are economically backward. “The country is more important than caste,” Paswan said.

TRS MP demands reservation rights for states

TRS MP AP Jitender Reddy said that TRS wanted to bring reservation for economically backward Muslims in Telangana. “The union government is opposing it, he said ading that rights of reservation must be given to the State. He also suggests some amendments to the Bill.

TRS supports the Bill

“Reservation is given to those who have been exploited due to caste-based system. This Bill talks about economic exploitation, TRS MP AP Jitender Reddy said in the Lok Sabha.

TRS supports the Bill

“Reservation is given to those who have been exploited due to caste-based system. This Bill talks about economic exploitation, TRS MP KH Muniyappa said in the Lok Sabha.

‘Better late than never,’ says Shiv Sena as it supports reservation bill

Shiv Sena MP Anandrao Adsul supported the bill saying that it will help assuage the demands of the Jats, the Patels etc. He, however, wondered why the Bill was brought at the fag end of the term. “Better late than never,” he said.

TMC opposes constitutional amendments to introduce reservation for the unreserved category

TMC’s Sudip Bandyopadhyay said that the bill was not discussed during the Business Advisory Committee meet. “Will the Bill actually solve the problem of unemployment or this is just a political gimmick,” he wondered He also wondered why the Women’s Reservation Bill was not taken up with the same priority. He demanded for a White Paper to be presented on unemployment which will provide a road map on steps that government will take to provide jobs.

M Thambi Durai says reservation should continue till castiesm exists; govt policies to uplift poor have failed

Deputy Speaker M Thambi Durai of AIADMK argues that reservation was introduced to overcome untouchability and discrimination and that is why the Dravidian movement had asked for reservation. But for the economically weaker sections, so many welfare programs have been launched already, he said. “Have government schemes for the poor failed? There are enough schemes. This reservation bill which you are bringing will be struck down by the Supreme Court,” he said.

He demanded that the reserved ceiling be increased to 70 percent. “Bring constitution amendment. The 9th Schedule immunity is not a permanent remedy,” Thambi Durai said.

Arun Jaitley asks why communist parties are opposing sops for the poor

The finance minister asked all the Opposition parties to support the Bill with an open heart while arguing that it is shocking that the Communists are opposing benefits to the poor. “If you are supporting the Bill, don’t have a grudge against it,” Jaitley said.

“It’s a test for the Opposition – whether this will remain confined to the manifesto or become law,” he said. Jaitley also emphasised that the reservation is for both aided and unaided institutions. “Just as equals cannot be treated unequally, unequals cannot be treated equally, Jaitley said adding that the reservation was being brought in to uplift those who were denied equality on the basis of birth.

Arun Jaitley says many political parties promised reservation for upper castes, none fulfilled 

Arun Jaitley joins the debate on Constitutional Amendment Bill, claims that many political parties have promised in their manifesto that reservation would be given to poor from the unreserved categories, but, nobody did so far. He countered KV Thomas’ argument and said that as per the Constitution, for an amendment of articles in Part III (fundamental rights), there is no need to go to states, only both House of Parliament need to pass the bill.

‘Hasty decision’, legal lacunae in implementation, says KV Thomas 

Congress’ KV Thomas said in the Parliament that Union Cabinet passed the bill on Monday and it has been presented in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday which is a hasty decision as its an important bill with wide ramifications. “Half of states need to ratify, with just 3 months to go for election, how will this happen?” he asked.

Thomas argued that there is legal lacunae as there no jobs to give reservation in, quoting unemployment figures. “Without doing proper homework, this being done with an eye on elections,” he said.

Farooq Abdullah asks govt to state what percentage of reservation is for Brahmins

National Congress leader Farooq Abdullah interrupted in between asked Thaawarchand Gehlot that, “What is the percentage of reservation within this 10 percent for Brahmins?”

State to decide ‘poor criteria’ under Constitution Amendment Bill 

Thaawarchand Gehlot said that for poor people from the general category, reservation will be provided in educational institutions, central and state goverment services. State will decide who will be considered ‘poor’ for this purpose, he said adding that the reservation for backward classes including SC,ST, OBC will not be affected with this.

Those outside reservaton benefit provided for SC, ST, OBC, belonging to any religion will benefit from this Bill, the social justice minister said.

Discussion begins in Lok Sabha over the Constitution Amendment Bill

Minister for Social Justice Thaawarchand Gehlot moved a motion to discuss the Constitution Amendment Bill to provide 10% reservation to economically backward upper caste people.

Rajnath Singh says entire India will bear burden of migration, Assam not alone

Rajnath Singh, while responding to the debate on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill explained that if Muslims who are in majority in countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh etc. face religious persecution and come to India, they can be given asylum through LTV, but not citizenship. He, however, assured the people of Assam on the implementation of the Assam Accord. 

The Union Home Minister said that the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 is not violative of the Constitution as it doesn’t violate the freedom to practice any religion. Rajnath further argued that Assam alone will not bear the burden of migration and the entire country will bear the burden. “The entire country will stand with Assam,” he said in the Parliament.

Meenakshi Lekhi quotes figures on rising Muslim population in Assam, blames ISI for rising migration 
 

Meenakshi Lekhi argued that in a sovereign country, why so much debate is happening on the citizenship bill which should instead be a routine affair. She also argued that Hindus are suffering in Pakistan and Bangladesh and Hindu women have been raped.

Asaduddin Owaisi opposes Citizenship (Amendment) Bill

AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi said that anyone who seeks refuge in India, should be given asylum, as citizenship cannot be given on the basis of religion. “Why India is being made into Israel?,” he asked. “This is against secularism and violative of Article 14.”

BJP MP Bijoya Chakravarti raises issue of illegal migrants in Assam

BJP MP Bijoya Chakravarti raised concern on the presence of illegal migrants in Assam, arguing that ‘an illegal migrant family gives birth to 6-7 children’ and since there is no population control, the Hindu population in Assam is dwindling, she said.

AIUDF rejects citizenship bill, Badruddin Ajmal calls it ‘unconstitutional’ 

AIDUF MP Badruddin Ajmal rejected the citizenship bill demanding for its withdrawal. “The AIDUF is an Assam-based political party. The Bill has evoked strong protests in Assam. The AGP, another Assam party is also opposing the Bill,” Ajmal said adding that the Bill is unconstitutional since we don’t discriminate on the basis of religion.

SP leader Mulayam Singh says India should learn from US

Mulayam Singh Yadav said in the Parliament that “we should learn how to develop the nation from the United States.”

CPM MP Mohammed Salim opposes Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, says citizenship can’t be granted on basis of religion

CPM MP from West Bengal Mohammed Salim, who had given a dissent note to JPC report on Citizenship Bill said that that religion, language etc. cannot be conflated with ideas of the nation. He claimed that this is not a Bill, this is a “manifesto”. “With an eye on elections, the country is being divided In a secular nation, citizenship cannot be granted on basis of religion,” he said.

Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day

The Upper House was adjourned amid protests from Samajwadi Party members as reports suggested that the CBI might quiz former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav in an illegal mining case. The proceedings of the House will convene on Wednesday as the winter session of the Parliament has been extended by a day.

‘Name of Bangladeshis in Mumbai’s voter list’: Shiv Sena MP

“Shiv Sena was formed for protecting the rights of the indigenous people. Now the whole world is echoing its chief’s views. (Donald) Trump is echoing Bal Sahab Thackeray’s views,” said Shiv Sena MP Arvind Ganpat Sawant. “I would request the government to talk with indigenous people of Assam, including AGP, and resolve the issue,” Sawant said in the Parliament.