Mumbai, July 13 (IANS). Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey verbally attacked the central government over the upcoming monsoon session, Ram Temple donation controversy, ordering an inquiry into the NCERT paper purchase case and the impartiality of the Election Commission. He said that there should be serious discussion in the Parliament on important issues like inflation, unemployment, farmers, youth and women’s safety and the government should listen to the opposition.
On the Ram temple donation controversy, Anand Dubey said that Lord Ram is the center of faith of crores of people and if there has been theft in the donation box of his temple, then there should be a fair investigation. It is completely unfair to call those raising this issue ‘descendants of Aurangzeb’. If the person who raised the issue of theft is a descendant of Aurangzeb, then have those who committed theft become the descendants of saints and sages? A thief is a thief and a saint is a saint. Taking aim at BJP leader Nitish Rane, he said that he should clarify what was the real intention of his statement. He alleged that whoever protects those who commit theft is equally guilty and the public has now understood who is the true devotee of Lord Ram and who is patronizing corruption.
Anand Dubey raised questions on Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on the order for investigation in NCERT paper purchase case. He said that merely ordering an inquiry every time there is a disturbance is not enough. When there are irregularities in NTA, an inquiry is set up, even when a matter comes to light in NCERT, an inquiry is announced, but the ministry does not fix its accountability. Getting the investigation done by the same department on which the allegation is made raises questions on impartiality. Dharmendra Pradhan should resign on moral grounds.
On the monsoon session of Parliament starting from July 20, Anand Dubey said that all political parties should seriously discuss the issues related to the public. The ever-increasing inflation, unemployment, problems of farmers, women’s safety, problems of youth and international situations in the country are affecting the general public. He also mentioned the controversies related to NEET exam and said that there should be a detailed debate on these topics in Parliament. The government and the opposition should rise above the politics of confrontation and dialogue. The Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha should sit together and talk, so that the democratic environment can be strengthened. The all-party meeting should not become a mere formality, rather the opinions of all parties should be given equal importance. When the government becomes arrogant and the public is affected by its policies, then the responsibility of the opposition is to hold the government accountable. Strong opposition is the biggest strength of any democracy.
On the reference of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh calling the Election Commission the soul of democracy in the book of former Chief Election Commissioner SY Qureshi, Anand Dubey said that earlier there was widespread trust in the impartiality and transparency of the Election Commission, but in the present circumstances that trust is being questioned. There is a difference between past and present and institutions should be evaluated on the basis of their current functioning. Earlier, the Election Commissioner remained away from public life after retirement, whereas now questions arise regarding appointments to different posts.
–IANS
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