Opposition stage walkout in Rajya Sabha on Gaza violence

Opposition parties on Monday staged a walkout in the Rajya Sabha after their demand for a resolution on Gaza was not accepted.

The opposition also demanded suspension of all military purchases from Israel as the House took up a discussion over the matter ending a week-long deadlock.

The House, which was paralysed over the issue last week, also saw demands from members for India raising its concern over the Israel attack on Gaza strip at the United Nations.

Initiating a discussion on the 'Unprecedented spurt in violence in Gaza and West Bank area of Palestine causing death of scores of civilians', Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad slammed the government over the delay in discussing the issue questioning whether it has made any change in the country's foreign policy towards Palestine.

Accusing the government of acting as a "spectator" to the on-going "massacre" in Palestine, Azad said, "I request the Indian government, the Opposition, the House and 124 crore people of the country to rise to the occasion on humanitarian grounds. A resolution should be passed... the use of force must stop...prevent further loss of life and property in Palestine.

"A united appeal must be made. Government must realise India's stature and walk the talk. Entire House should condemn the attack and pass a resolution."

Striking an allegory of the Mahabharata, Azad rued that powerful countries of the world are just witnessing the happenings in Gaza like 'Dhritrashtra', the blind king, while a war is going on for last 15 days in which innocent women and children are being killed.

Noting that India's policy has always been to support the Palestine cause, he said at a time when the country is emerging as a democratic and economic power in the world, “India is sitting as mere spectator and it took us seven days to think whether we should even discuss it or not.”

Condemning the "genocide" in Palestine by Israeli forces, Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M) demanded "immediate suspension of all military purchases from Israel".

Noting that Israel is the biggest supplier of arms and ammunition to India, Yechury said the profit earned from it is being spent by Israel in carrying out such "genocides".

Wondering how can people say that those associated with Hamas are terrorist, he said they have been democratically elected by Palestinians, adding “I may have disagreements with the BJP but they are democratically elected.”

The member said India cannot be a silent spectator and a resolution should be brought in the House to condemn it.

UN Security Council has condemned it and US Secretary General has termed it atrocious, he said.

“Palestinians are denied their legitimate right to homeland...Until that is returned...India should suspend all military purchases...cripple them," he said saying even Prime Minister Narendra Modi was signatory to BRICS resolution.

Ahmed Hassan (Trinamool Congress) said the government should raise the issue at the United Nations as the two-nation theory in case of Israel and Palestine is not being recognised.

Anil Madhav Dave (Bharatiya Janata Party) said there is a need to go to the root of the problem and a solution will come only when the problem is diagnosed properly.

He said similar situations prevail in other parts of the world, adding India should not tilt itself to any one side and play a "neutral" role.

Opposition members reacted strongly to Dave's remarks and asked him to confine himself to the subject of discussion when the BJP leader talked about armed youths from Britain, Australia and India leaving their countries and suggested that youths will have to be told that they cannot get the heaven (Jannat) with the help of guns.

Maitreyan (AIADMK) said while his party strongly condemns the killing of innocent civilians and he is ready to support the demand for a resolution on the killings in Gaza, a similar resolution condemning the violence against Sri Lankan Tamils should also be brought.

He said the UPA government had not passed any condolence resolution on the “killing of innocent Tamilians” in Sri Lanka in the last five years.

Sharad Yadav (Janata Dal-United) supported Azad's argument that India has its economic interests in West Asia and said a discussion on the issue should not have been delayed.

Ram Gopal Yadav (SP) said India cannot afford to be neutral when severe atrocities were being committed on Palestinians by Israel.

"India is non-aligned but wherever there is injustice, it has to intervene

Brajesh Pathak (BSP) said all efforts should be taken to stop the violence in Gaza.

The decision to hold a short duration discussion on the issue for one-and-a-half-hour was later extended to two-and-a-half-hour with the consent of members from both sides in the House.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj told Deputy Chairman P J Kurien that she has no problem with it and time should be extended if members want to speak.

Her remarks came soon after another Union Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot, responding to Opposition members' demand for time extension, said the time decided at the meeting should be adhered to.

Veteran lawyer and expelled BJP member Ram Jethmalani wanted to know from the Chair how much time an expelled member of BJP can be given.

He later left the House saying "it is not worthwhile" and he will better write whatever he has to say in a paper.

Majeed Memon (Nationalist Congress Party) said India should not be a silent spectator and must pass a "very hard-worded" resolution condemning killing of innocent people in Gaza.

Stating that India should be on the side of Palestine, D Raja (CPI) said: "Why should India keep equi-distance with both Israel and Palestine? It is time India should reveal its position on Israel and suspend purchase of arms. Such a strong message should go."

India has been supporting Palestine since the days of Mahatma Gandhi. India should not behave like other countries. It should make clear the position on this issue, he added.

Attacking the government for not reacting to killing in Gaza, Anand Sharma (Cong) said "When other countries have spoken including the UN Security Council critical of killing in Gaza, India is lacking in its response, not speaking and not making efforts. This should concern us."

He said the House should pass a resolution in line with the UN Security Council and added "India cannot disengage. India cannot be silent. India has to be pro-active."

Sharma sought to know if the prime minister in the recent meeting with head of BRIC countries raised this issue and also asked the government whether it has taken up the issue with the UN Security Council.

He sought to know if India plans to announce humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza.

Chandan Mitra (Bharatiya Janata Party) said the discussion by some opposition members in the House on the Gaza issue was "as expected more emotional than logic."

He said there is no need to get "total emotional" as India needs to keep in mind that any "tilt" on either side could impact the country's foreign policy.

Mitra said India as a votary of peace should stop war and must make efforts to ensure West Asia becomes a region of peace.

Stating that India cannot be "neutral" on this issue, Kanimozhi (DMK) said, "We are aspiring to be the world leader. We cannot be a world leader, if we cannot take a stand on humanitarian issue."

Tarun Vijay (BJP) said India's policy on Palestine was same as it was in the previous government's time. For peace, there is a need to have friendly relations between Palestine and Israel, he added.

Image: A Palestinian woman reacts after what police said was an Israeli air strike that destroyed a neighbouring house in the northern Gaza Photographs: Mohammed Salem/Reuters