Oppn insists on Farooq’s release

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 18

Parliamentary proceedings got off to a stormy start today with a united Opposition in the Lok Sabha calling National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah’s detention illegal and asking Speaker Om Birla to intervene and ensure his immediate release so that he could attend the ongoing session.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “We are open to discussions on all issues.” The Speaker allowed the matter to be taken up in the business advisory committee of the Lok Sabha.

Abdullah, a member of the House from J&K, has been under detention since August 5 when special status under Article 370 was withdrawn. J&K has since been carved into Union Territory.

Demanding Abdullah’s immediate release, Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said Home Minister Amit Shah had claimed in the House on August 5 that Abdullah had not been detained, whereas the J&K leader had been under detention since then — a total of 106 days.

The Speaker clarified the Lok Sabha had no information about Abdullah’s detention as on August 5, hence when the Home Minister said Abdullah had not been detained, it was correct. Now, the Lok Sabha had been informed about Abdullah’s detention.

Chowdhury dubbed the European MPs who visited Kashmir “hired workers”. “Our leader Rahul Gandhi was not allowed to visit (J&K), several MPs were sent back... whereas hired workers from Europe were being taken there. Isn’t it an insult to all MPs?” Chowdhury said.

DMK leader TR Baalu urged the Speaker to intervene saying it was his duty to act. “What has happened with Farooq is illegal.... You have to make intervention,” Baalu said. The detention could be revoked by an order of the Speaker.

Prof Saugata Roy of the Trinamool Congress, too, asked the Speaker to intervene and get the 83-year-old veteran released from detention.