National
BJP derails Rajya Sabha over triple talaq row (Roundup)
New Delhi, Jan 3 (IANS) The ruling BJP on Wednesday forced an unprecedented adjournment in the Rajya Sabha as the opposition pressed for the triple talaq Bill to be sent to a Select Committee of the House for closer scrutiny.
Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad introduced the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, known as the triple talaq bill, in the House amid protests from the opposition which sought a discussion over the anti-Dalit violence in Koregaon-Bhima in Maharashtra.
Both Prasad and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley accused the opposition of creating ruckus to avoid tabling the triple talaq bill, a charge vehemently denied by Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad.
As soon as the Bill was moved, Trinamool Congress’ Sukhendu Sekhar Roy brought Rule 125 to the Chair’s notice that confers the MPs with power to recommend referring a Bill to a Select Committee.
The opposition tried to prevent Prasad from giving a statement on the proposed legislation which has provisions to jail Muslim men who give instant divorce by uttering ‘talaq’ thrice.
Congress leader Anand Sharma moved an amendment that read: “This House being strongly committed to women empowerment and women’s rights refers the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017 as passed by the Lok Sabha to a Select Committee of the Rajya Sabha for parliamentary scrutiny and to ensure complete justice to women and safeguarding their interest and welfare.”
He said the Committee would submit its report in the first week of the Budget session.
Sharma proposed 17 names of members from different opposition parties including the Congress, AIADMK, TMC, SP, DMK, BSP, NCP, CPI-M, TDP, BJD, CPI, RJD, IUML and JMM apart from that of nominated member K.T.S. Tulsi, adding that the government could give its names.
Jaitley objected to the motion saying the opposition had “sprung a surprise” by suddenly moving this amendment without giving a proper notice at least 24 hours in advance as required by the rules.
Arguing against referring the Bill to a Select Committee, Jaitley said: “The Supreme Court declared the practice of triple talaq as unconstitutional. Two of the (five) judges suspended the practice of triple talaq for six months, beseeching the political parties to make a law to bar triple talaq.
“Now, the six months period of suspension would end on February 22 and there is an urgency to pass this bill,” Jaitley said.
Kapil Sibal of the Congress, who appeared in the case on behalf of the Muslim Personal Law Board, clarified that the suspension was a minority ruling and hence was not binding and there was no hurry to rush with the legislation.
A visibly agitated Derek O’Brien of Trinamool raised his voice: “We all want this bill, but this bill is faulty. Who have you consulted (before drafting the bill)? We don’t want to pass a faulty bill.”
As the treasury benches accused the Congress of opposing the bill for the sake of minority votes, Sharma said that if the government was sincere about women’s rights, it should bring the women reservation bill at the earliest.
“Parliament cannot be a rubber stamp of the government,” Sharma said.
Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agrawal contended that the Constitution visualised a bi-cameral Parliament for the very purpose that “if one House errs, the other House rectifies it”.
“Sir, in a democracy majority opinion prevails. Let’s have a division of votes on the issue,” Azad told the Chair amid ruckus by the treasury benches.
BJP members who were already on their feet started shouting and came into the aisles.
Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien, expressing his inability to proceed with the division of votes amidst the din, adjourned the House for the day.
The BJP and its allies are in a minority in the Rajya Sabha and the result of a division of votes is a foregone conclusion.
–IANS
mak/mr
National
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.