NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress on Thursday demanded a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament on the situation in neighbouring Bangladesh, particularly in the context of concerns regarding the minorities there.
The issue was raised in the Rajya Sabha post-lunch by TMC parliamentary party leader Derek O’Brien, who sought permission to raise a point of order.
He quoted Rule 251 to suggest that the Prime Minister come and give a statement on the Bangladesh issue.
Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar however said it is not a point of order, and did not allow O’Brien to continue.
The refusal was met with sloganeering by TMC MPs in the House.
Talking to reporters later outside Parliament, TMC deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Sagarika Ghose said: “Parliament is in session, it is a very sensitive matter…the Prime Minister should come to Parliament and give a full statement and full clarification on what the Govt of India intends to do with regard to the situation in Bangladesh,” she said.
TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev said the government should disclose what it has done for the Hindus in Bangladesh.
“The religious minorities there are facing atrocities, he (Prime Minister Modi) should speak on it and the political situation there,” she was quoted by PTI as saying.