The Aryavarth Express:
New Delhi: As the second phase of the Budget Session of Parliament resumes on Monday, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh criticised the Centre for opting for a ministerial statement instead of allowing a full parliamentary debate on the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
In a post on X, Ramesh shared images from the debates held in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha during the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, highlighting that Parliament had then held extensive discussions and passed a resolution condemning the invasion.
Ramesh argued that ministerial statements often provide little new information and do not allow Members of Parliament to ask questions or seek clarifications.
“It has been let known that the External Affairs Minister will make a statement in both Houses of Parliament on the situation in West Asia. The problems with such ministerial statements are that they convey little beyond what is already known and MPs are not given an opportunity to seek clarifications or ask questions,” he said.
He added that the Opposition wants a comprehensive discussion on the issue, recalling that on April 8, 2003, Parliament had held a “spirited debate” on the US invasion of Iraq when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister, and had even adopted a resolution condemning the invasion.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is expected to make a statement in both Houses on the evolving situation in West Asia as Parliament reconvenes for the second leg of the Budget Session.
The demand for a debate comes amid escalating tensions in the region following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint military strikes by the United States and Israel on February 28. In response, Iran launched retaliatory attacks targeting American military bases in several Arab countries and Israeli assets across the region, further intensifying the conflict.
The government has said it is closely monitoring the situation, particularly with regard to the safety of Indian nationals in the region and the broader geopolitical implications of the conflict.
