NDA govt braces for intolerant Oppn

Cong, JD-U notices for debate on issue; action against ministers

New Delhi: The Union government is bracing up for a tough week in Parliament from Monday, with Opposition parties giving a number of notices in both Houses seeking a debate on 'intolerance' in society and action against some ministers for their alleged provocative remarks. Congress and JD-U have given notices in the Rajya Sabha to discuss the issue after suspension of business under Rule 267, while in the Lok Sabha, the Congress and CPM have submitted notices for a debate under rule 193, which does not entail voting or require suspension of business.

In the Lok Sabha, the matter has been listed for Monday, while in the Rajya Sabha, it can happen any day in the week after the conclusion of the discussion on the "Commitment to India's Constitution" as part of the 125th Birth Anniversary celebration of Dr B R Ambedkar initiated by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on November 27.

The first two days of the session that began on November 26 were functional as parties did not want to be seen blocking a discussion on the Constitution on the occasion of Ambedkar's anniversary even though the Opposition attacked the government over alleged rise in intolerance and communal violence. "The real confrontation will be there this week when the government brings its legislative agenda on the table. The Congress, JD-U, CPM, CPI and Trinamool Congress have given separate notices to seek a discussion with and without voting, pass a resolution by the House and seek action against ministers making provocative speeches.

"Much depends on how the government responds to the Opposition's issues," said a senior Opposition party leader on condition of anonymity. The Congress' notice has been moved by Deputy Leader of Opposition in the House Anand Sharma and the party plans to attack the government over alleged "orchestrated campaign to create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation" and also raise issues like returning of awards by celebrated writers and others from the intelligentsia. The notice by Sharma, which also seeks passing of a resolution by the House, condemns the "assault on the freedom of expression".