Opposition in LS walks out, demands PM's statement on Trump's Kashmir remarks
New Delhi: The Opposition in Lok Sabha on Tuesday walked out demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on US President Donald Trump's remarks on Kashmir mediation as the government asserted that outstanding issues between India and Pakistan will continue to be addressed bilaterally.
As soon as the Lower House met for the day, members from the Congress and some other Opposition parties were on their feet shouting slogans over the issue.
Trump had on Monday claimed that Prime Minister Modi had asked him to play the role of a mediator on Kashmir.
Later, when the Zero Hour began, Manish Tewari (Cong) said since the statement of Trump is serious, the prime minister himself should clarify.
Saugata Roy (TMC) said it was in contravention to the position held by India. He also rejected any clarification bv External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the issue.
AIADMK's T R Baalu said since the issue involved the PM, he should personally make a statement in the House. When Jaishakar rose to make a statement, it was drowned in protest by the entire opposition.
The opposition then walked out of proceedings.
Home Minister Amit Shah requested the Speaker to allow Jaishankar to repeat the statement as it was essential that people hear him clearly.
Jaishankar gave an identical statement he had made in Rajya Sabha earlier in the day. He told the lower house that Prime Minister Modi made no request to Trump to mediate on the Kashmir issue with Pakistan.
He said all outstanding issues between India and Pakistan can be discussed only bilaterally. "I would like to categorically state that no such request has been made by the Prime Minister to the US President," he said.
US President Trump had on Monday claimed that Prime Minister Modi had asked him to play the role of an mediator on Kashmir. The minister said it has been the consistent position of India that all outstanding issues with Pakistan can be discussed only bilaterally.
"Any engagement with Pakistan will require end to cross border terrorism," he said, adding Shimla and Lahore accords provide the basis for resolution of all issues bilaterally.
Amid the ruckus in the House, Speaker Om Birla said it was a serious issue and there should not be any politics over the matter. He urged members to rise above party lines and think about national interest.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said Opposition members were trying to belittle the image of the country, which is "highly unfair and uncalled for".
During Question Hour, Congress members were heard shouting 'we want an answer' and the party's leader in the House Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the prime minister should give an answer.
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Air quality worsens in city, AQI settles in 'severe' zone
New Delhi (PTI): Delhi battled toxic fumes on Sunday as the air quality slipped into the 'severe category with a reading of 459, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.
A thick layer of smog blanketed the city overnight, leaving people gasping for air.
As per the CPCB, an Air Quality Index (AQI) between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor' and 401 to 500 'severe'.
On the weather front, the minimum temperature settled at 8.2 degrees Celsius, 0.4 notch below the season's average, and the maximum temperature is likely to hover around 24 degrees Celsius.
The relative humidity was 100 per cent at 8.30 am, the IMD said.
In light of the deteriorating air quality in the national capital, the Delhi Directorate of Education on Saturday directed all schools to conduct classes for students up to Class IX and XI in a hybrid mode
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has invoked Stage-IV actions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) with immediate effect to curb further worsening of air pollution levels in Delhi-NCR.
