Document Fragment View

Matching Fragments

Title: Regarding Pope John Paul-II visit to India.

 

11.59 hrs. SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DAS MUNSI(RAIGANJ): Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we have given notices for discussion under Rule 193 and also Calling Attention on Pope John Paul""s visit to India because his security is causing a lot of concern in the country. We want a full-fledged discussion either under Rule 193 or under the Calling Attention. A notice has been served. It concerns not only the Christian community but the entire image of the nation in the whole world. On the one hand the Minister of Home Affairs said in Gujarat that he would be a State guest and he would be protected and on the other hand, right under the nose of the North Block, at Vijay Chowk, the area which falls under Section 144, the VHP and the RSS elements burnt the effigy of Pope John Paul. This is a serious matter and the country cannot afford to ignore this incident because the hon Prime Minister made a commitment and the Presidential Address also had made a commitment for the total democratic polity and secularism. I feel and I demand that an important issue like this cannot be ignored by this House. There should be a discussion and the Government should come forward because earlier ....(Interruptions)

SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSHI: No... (Interruptions)...

SHRI L.K. ADVANI Please let me complete... (Interruptions)

SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSHI : They have burnt the effigy of Pope John Paul-II... (Interruptions)

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Please hear him.

SHRI MANISHANKAR AIYAR : They have burnt the effigy of Pope John Paul... (Interruptions)

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: He is on his legs. Let him finish first.

... (Interruptions)

SHRI L.K. ADVANI: Sir, I do not propose... (Interruptions)

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Hon. Members, please resume your seats.

... (Interruptions)

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Please hear me first and then if you have any clarification, you can ask.

SHRI L. K. ADVANI: Pope John Paul II is the revered guest of this country and the Government of India condemns any burning of the effigy. It disapproves of any protest action against the arrival of Pope John Paul. ...(Interruptions)

----------------------------------------------------------------

* Not Recorded.

Sir, I am very categorical. I have stated it earlier also. ... SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSHI : The effigy was burnt in front of the Office of the Home Minister. Why did you not take cognizance of it? Why did you fail to arrest them? ... (Interruptions)

SHRI L.K. ADVANI: If there is any burning of any effigy, I do not know about it. ... (Interruptions)

SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSHI : Mr. Deputy-Speaker, Sir, the Home Minister says that he does not know about it. He says, he does not know that effigies have been burnt. I wonder how he does not know it! ... (Interruptions)

SHRI MANISHANKAR AIYAR : They did not know that the Pakistanis were in Kargil and that the VHP was in his Office. What a completely incompetent Government! ... (Interruptions)