New Delhi:
The Winter Session of Parliament began on Monday with united Opposition slamming the Narendra Modi government over the absence of Srinagar MP and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, who is under house arrest since the Centre removed special status of Jammu and Kashmir. As soon as the national anthem completed, Trinamool Congress MP raised his concern about Abdullah’s whereabouts and told the Speaker that he was not present in the House. "Sir... Dr Farooq Abdullah yahe pe nahi hain (Sir, Dr Farooq Abdullah is not here)".
"Either instruct the government to release him or Home Minister should make a statement in the House," the MP added. To this, Speaker Om Birla asked him to first allow the oath-taking of new members. Soon, other Opposition MPs from the Congress and DMK moved to the well and started shouting "Free Farooq Abdullah" slogans. "I am ready to discuss all issues. Please go to your seats... This House is not for sloganeering but for debates and discussions," Speaker Birla said.
Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury slammed the Narendra Modi-led NDA government over the situation in Kashmir and the visit of far-right European MPs while Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and others were sent back from Srinagar airport. He demanded that the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister should be brought to the Parliament.
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"It has been 108 days today since Farooq Abdullah-ji was detained. Yeh kya zulm ho raha hai (what kind of injustice is happening)? He should be brought to the Parliament. It is his constitutional right," the Congress leader demanded.
The Opposition parties have been demanding the release of three former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers, Farooq Abdullah, his son Omar Abdullah and PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti. Mamata Banerjee’s party the Trinamool Congress also submitted an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha over Farooq Abdullah's release.
