- Opposition in the Rajya Sabha refused to allow transaction of any business after it sought to move out discussing the “unprecedented spurt in violence in Gaza and West Bank area of Palestine
- The NDA government faced embarrassed situation, as both sides not reaching any agreement, the House was adjourned for the day after repeated disruptions
- Zero hour was announced by the Deputy Chairman triggering protests from the opposition as they wanted to know why Gaza situation was not taken up though it appeared in business papers
- Sushma Swaraj the External Ministry Affairs minister told the house that she got to know about the news later and has written to chairman requesting that the discussion be dropped as it could impact India’s relations with the countries involved in the conflict
- Ms.Swaraj further said “We have diplomatic ties with both nations. Any discourteous reference to any friendly country can impact our relations with them,” but the opposition sis not agree saying no one had the right to alter the listed business
- Till the Chairman gave a ruling on her letter Ms.Swaraj along with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu, said the House should take up the debate on the Railway Budget
- Mr. Kurien adjourned the House till 2 pm as the Government and the Opposition locked horns over the issue, since there was no change in the situation the House was adjourned for the day
- The government is looking at safety of Indians and by discussing the issue it would affect Indian captivated in ISIS-held areas and Palestine or Israel
- The nurses were safely brought back but the 39 men in Mosul still hang in the balance
- Read at: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/govt-refusal-to-debate-gaza-stalls-rs/article6219181.ece