Parliament Winter Session 2024 Live Updates: President Murmu to address both Houses of Parliament on Constitution Day tomorrow

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and party officials visited Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday to discuss the Sambhal incident. Opposition members sought to address the matter in the House whilst criticising the Yogi Adityanath administration over the unrest.

Akhilesh Yadav contended that party MP Zia-ur-Rahman Barq faced police charges despite his absence from Sambhal during the incident.

"Our MP was not even in Sambhal during the incident and despite that, an FIR was lodged against him. It is very unfortunate to know about the young people who have lost their lives in this incident. From all the videos we have, we know it was a riot by the government. The government was looting votes, playing with the EVM machines.. they did riot in Sambhal," he stated.
Yadav called for disciplinary measures against the involved police personnel.

On Sunday, a stone pelting episode unfolded in Sambhal when an ASI team visited the Shahi Jama Masjid to undertake a fresh survey of the mosque, according to officials.

The survey was conducted as part of judicial proceedings following senior advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain's petition asserting the mosque's original status as a temple.

The Congress reaffirmed on Monday its unwavering stance demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) investigation into the allegations against Adani executives in the United States regarding an alleged bribery case.

A Congress Parliamentary Strategy Group session was convened, led by party president and Rajya Sabha Opposition Leader Mallikarjun Kharge, with participation from Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal and other senior members.

Following the meeting, Congress general secretary-in-charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, informed reporters that a JPC investigation had become essential following recent developments in the US.

He indicated that several matters were discussed, which would be addressed in both Parliamentary chambers.

Ramesh confirmed the party's continued insistence on a JPC investigation into the Adani matter. He noted that the party intends to address the Manipur situation, border arrangements with China, "social polarisation" and pollution concerns.

"We are not going to compromise. The need for a JPC has been further reinforced by the indictment that has been handed down by the US agencies and the US courts. We will continue to demand JPC. We will continue a demand for a discussion on Manipur and Nagaland. Many opposition parties want a discussion on free and fair elections, so there are a number of issues that we have discussed," he told ANI. (ANI)

The Trinamool Congress has outlined its agenda for Parliament's Winter Session, with key focus on the suspension of central funding to West Bengal under MGNREGA and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, alongside the ongoing unrest in Manipur, according to party sources. These priorities emerged from the party's National Working Committee meeting in Kolkata, presided over by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The gathering included prominent party figures such as TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, and parliamentary leaders Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Derek O'Brien from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha respectively.

The party's parliamentary strategy also encompasses concerns about rising prices, joblessness, and shortages in fertiliser supply. (PTI)
The session's commencement on December 4 was marked by adjournments in both houses, as opposition members pressed for discussions regarding corruption allegations against the Adani Group and demanded an investigation through a Joint Parliamentary Committee.

Parliamentary authorities explained on Monday that it is customary to briefly suspend House proceedings following an obituary tribute to a current member. This explanation was issued after Congress representative Karti Chidambaram questioned the Lok Sabha's adjournment following obituary references for five members, including two active members who passed away between sessions.

Two current Lok Sabha members - Congress representative Vasant Chavan from Nanded in Maharashtra and Trinamool Congress representative S K Nurul Islam from Basirhat in West Bengal - passed away during the parliamentary recess.

During the inter-session period, three former members - M M Lawrence, M Parvathi, and Harishchandra Chavan - also passed away.

After the Lok Sabha convened for the day, the Speaker expressed condolences for the five leaders and suspended proceedings for one hour.

Parliamentary officials stated, "It is a convention to adjourn the House after obituary reference to a sitting Member. So today's adjournment was within rules."
Previously, the practice was to adjourn the House for the full day when a sitting member passed away. (PTI)

President Droupadi Murmu will lead the commemorative event at the Central Hall of the old Parliament complex on November 26, celebrating 75 years of India's Constitution. The ceremony will include the presence of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

Union culture secretary Arunish Chawla announced at the National Media Centre that a dedicated website has been established to facilitate the year-long celebrations.

The website encourages citizens to participate by reading the Preamble of the Constitution, recording themselves, and uploading the video to receive a certificate.

Educational institutions nationwide will organise collective readings of the Preamble, as confirmed by Chawla.

The government plans to issue a special commemorative coin and stamp to honour this significant milestone.

The winter session of Parliament got underway on Monday but both houses faced early adjournments after opposition demanded discussions on various issues.

"We submitted before the Speaker that the due process is not at all being followed by the Chairman, he is hurrying up, bulldozing the proceedings, there are so many procedures, including dissent vote, voting, all these things have to happen, in spite of that the Chairman on suo motu, he is calling that on 29th and 30th, the JPC report has to be submitted, which is unknown to the JPC, we have met the JPC right from the Bofors, 2G, now this JPC wanted to bypass all the proceedings contemplated in the law book. That is why we have submitted a memorandum, the Speaker has accepted it," said DMK leader.

Congress MP KC Venugopal said, "Certainly, that (Adani issue) is one of the most important issues which Parliament has to discuss. The government has to give the time because US government has taken a case very strongly, the incident happened in India. Parliament is the forum to take up these issues."

Lok Sabha proceedings adjourned till 11am on Wednesday, November 27.

Proceedings for Lok Sabha resumed at 12 pm.

Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day as opposition pressed for debate on Adani issue.

Speaking to reporters at the start of the winter session of Parliament, PM Modi said, "There should be a healthy debate in the Parliament but, unfortunately, certain individuals are trying to control Parliament for their own political gains, resorting to disruptions and chaos."

Lok Sabha adjourned till 12 pm after tributes paid to departed members of House.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his media address ahead of the winter session of the parliament, criticized the frequent disruptions in Parliament, stating that those involved should reflect on their repeated rejections by the electorate. He remarked, "It's time for them to show remorse for past actions and allow the House to function properly." He pointed out that individuals who have faced electoral rejection numerous times continue to disrupt proceedings for their political agendas. "These people, though few in number, create pandemonium and obstruct the House's smooth functioning," Modi said. He further noted that such individuals have not met the expectations of the public, leading to consistent electoral punishment. "However, instead of learning from these repeated rejections, they persist in disrupting the House, thereby depriving many qualified and deserving members, especially the younger ones, of the opportunity to engage in meaningful debate," the Prime Minister added before the House proceedings commenced.

"Parliament's winter session is special for many reasons, including for beginning of 75th year of Constitution's adoption. A handful of people rejected by public are trying to control Parliament by creating disorder," said PM Modi ahead of Winter Session's start

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "The last phase of 2024 is underway and the country is preparing for 2025. This session of Parliament is special in several ways and the most important thing is the beginning of the 75th year of the Constitution. Tomorrow, in the Samvidhan Sadan, everyone will celebrate the 75th year of our Constitution."

Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan said, "We have requested to discuss the pollution issue. We blame stable burning for the pollution but the Delhi thermal power is spreading more pollution in the capital...People are suffering from several diseases like asthma and other respiratory problems."

Members of the Lok Sabha attending Parliament's Winter Session from Monday will be able to register their attendance digitally using an electronic pen on a tablet device. As part of Speaker Om Birla's initiative towards a paperless Parliament, electronic tablets will be positioned at four designated spots in the Lok Sabha chamber's lobby.

"Physical attendance registers will continue to be kept at the counters. However, members are advised to use the tab as a preferred choice and help make Parliament paperless," stated the Lok Sabha Secretariat.

Ahead of the winter session of Parliament, Congress Lok Sabha MPs are scheduled to meet at 10:30 AM today at the Congress Parliamentary Office to plan their strategy.

Separately, floor leaders of the INDIA bloc from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will meet at 10 AM at the office of Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge to discuss a unified opposition approach for the session.

The opposition is expected to focus on issues such as the violence in Manipur and bribery allegations involving the Adani group.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has strongly condemned the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, labeling it "anti-democratic" and "anti-constitutional." The criticism came during the AIMPLB's two-day conference, which began on Sunday in Bengaluru. The conference addressed several key issues, including the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

"This is a regular conference where, every three years, we elect a new team. This time, we have elected a new president, general secretary, secretary, treasurer, and spokesperson. We also discuss various issues affecting our community. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was discussed, and we explained why we oppose it and what actions we will take going forward. We also discussed the Uniform Civil Code, which has already been implemented in Uttarakhand, and we have decided to challenge this act in the high court," said Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, spokesperson for the AIMPLB, in a statement to news agency ANI.

Additionally, Ilyas raised concerns about the growing prevalence of hate speeches in the country. He specifically pointed to disturbing remarks made by various leaders against Prophet Muhammad, stating that such comments are unacceptable to Muslims worldwide.

"Every day, a new dispute emerges over mosques, followed by court-ordered surveys. If the Worship Places Act is in place, it must be enforced. Hate speeches are also continuing, with leaders making offensive remarks about Prophet Muhammad, which is unacceptable to Muslims around the world," Ilyas added.

President Droupadi Murmu will preside over a special function on Tuesday to launch the year-long celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution. The event, to be held at the Central Hall of the Samvidhan Sadan (old Parliament building), will also feature addresses by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju informed reporters on Sunday that the theme for the year-long celebrations will be "Hamara Samvidhan, Hamara Swabhiman" (Our Constitution, Our Pride).

The Constituent Assembly had adopted the Constitution on November 26, 1949, in the Central Hall, and it came into effect on January 26, 1950.

To mark the occasion, a commemorative coin and stamp will be issued, along with copies of the Constitution in Sanskrit and Maithili. Two books – "Making of the Constitution: A Glimpse" and "Making of the Constitution and its Glorious Journey" – will also be released, along with a booklet dedicated to the illustrations in the Constitution.

Additionally, people across India and abroad will join the President in reading the Preamble to the Constitution, Rijiju added.

The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to amend the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, along with the Banking Regulation Act and the State Bank of India Act, among other bills, will be introduced by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as the Winter Session of Parliament begins on Monday. The Finance Minister will also present bills to amend the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1970, and the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1980, for consideration.

According to the list of business for the Lok Sabha, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will introduce the Railways (Amendment) Bill, which aims to amend the Railway Act, 1989, for consideration.

Additionally, Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the Ministry of Education, will make a statement regarding the implementation status of the recommendations from the 56th Report of the Standing Committee on Labour, Textiles and Skill Development. This report focuses on the implementation of the Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) Project under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju emphasized that the union government is "ready to discuss any topic" and called for a peaceful and productive session of Parliament. Speaking to reporters after the all-party meeting in Delhi on Sunday, Rijiju mentioned that a range of issues were raised for discussion as the winter session is set to begin on Monday.

"A total of 42 leaders from 30 political parties attended the meeting. Many topics were brought up for discussion, but our goal is to ensure constructive debates in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The government is open to discussing any topic. Our only request is that the House functions smoothly without disruptions. Every member should be allowed to participate in the discussions, and the session must proceed without chaos. For the winter session to run smoothly, we need everyone's cooperation and participation," Rijiju said.

He also noted that while the winter session will begin tomorrow, there will be no sitting on November 26 due to the Constitution Day celebrations. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution, and the event will be commemorated at the Constitution House with members of both Houses in attendance. President Droupadi Murmu will address the gathering, and important documents related to the Constitution will be released during the event.

Amid calls from the opposition to discuss bribery allegations against the Adani Group, the government stated on Sunday that the business advisory committees of both Houses will determine the topics to be debated.

The government urged all parties to work towards ensuring the smooth functioning of Parliament. The upcoming session, which begins on Monday, is expected to be marked by disruptions and adjournments.

The government plans to introduce the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill, while the opposition insists on a debate regarding the violence in Manipur and the Adani issue.

Responding to the opposition's demand for a discussion on Adani, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju informed reporters after an all-party meeting that the business advisory committees, with the consent of the Lok Sabha Speaker and Rajya Sabha Chairman, will decide on the matters to be addressed during the winter session.