Debate on Una incident in Parliament: As it happened

Rajya Sabha held a discussion on the issue of recent atrocities against Dalits in Gujarat's Una town.

By Deepak Nagpal | Last Updated: Thursday, July 21, 2016 - 23:56

New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha on Thursday held a discussion on the sensitive issue of recent atrocities against Dalits in Gujarat's Una town.

21 July 2016, 16:35 PM

Politics in the name of Dalits should be stopped. Whenever an incident happens, both BJP and Congress started doing politics over it, points out the BSP chief.

They should rise above petty politics and work for the development of backward sections, she adds.

21 July 2016, 16:33 PM

Even after 69 years of independence, members of Dalit community haven't got half of the socio-economic benefits, says Mayawati.

When BJP came to power with full majority in 2014, we had hoped that they will address Dalit issue. Even bill hasn't been passed yet, she adds. 

On one hand, BJP did a lot of things to celebrate Ambedkar Jayanti and assured Dalits that they will do a lot to celebrate it. On the other hand, Dalits still do not have reservation rights in the private sector," she further says.

21 July 2016, 16:32 PM

In the name of cow protection, Dalits and Muslims are being victimised: Mayawati

21 July 2016, 16:31 PM

The Una incident should be heard by a fast-track court, demands BSP chief.

21 July 2016, 16:30 PM

Forget about Dalits getting justice, even their FIR is not filed many times. Atrocities on dalits continue to happen, but they do not get justice and that's why Dalits are sad, says Mayawati.

21 July 2016, 16:28 PM

Justice should be done in Gujarat. It is not enough to just send the Gujarat CM to meet them. Action needs to be taken against authorities which were negligent. Officers who were responsible for Una incident should be sacked: Mayawati

21 July 2016, 16:27 PM

Unfortunate that discrimination against Dalits in the country hasn't ended despite BJP, Congress long tenure after independence, says Mayawati.

21 July 2016, 16:26 PM

Even after the Constitution was laid down by Baba Ambedkar, Dalits still have not received their full rights: Mayawati

21 July 2016, 16:26 PM

BSP chief Mayawati says, everyone talks about the atrocities on Dalits in Parliament, but nothing happens practically. 

BJP themselves should get case registered against Dayashankar Singh, she adds.

21 July 2016, 15:33 PM

A mindset is being created by the Modi government to target Dalits, says Sitaram Yechury.

21 July 2016, 15:33 PM

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury says that since BJP has come to power, there are new avenue for attacking Dalits.

21 July 2016, 14:41 PM

"There was no need to beat up the Dalit boys like this. They have been doing this job since a long time. Witnesses also said that they defended the boys...The current of situation in Gujarat is really bad. Young Dalits are committing suicide and this is a clear indication that the situation is very dire. This is happening in PM Modi's home state, which is even more shameful," says Patel.

21 July 2016, 15:29 PM

Referring to Una incident, Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien says "Cows are venerable but why mock cow workers."

21 July 2016, 15:25 PM

Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien says Mayawati did not want to take up the issue of BJP's Dayashankar Singh's statement earlier. As a great leader, she was calm, says O'Brien. 

21 July 2016, 14:37 PM

Why is the Prime Minister silent over atrocities against Dalits in Gujarat? Didn't he seek votes in the name of the Gujarat Model?: Ahmed Patel

21 July 2016, 14:26 PM

Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel condemns Una incident, says the real face of Gujarat model, on which Prime Minister Narendra Modi fought elections, has been revealed.

21 July 2016, 14:11 PM

Janata Dal (United) slams the government over the thrashing of Dalit youth in Una, Gujarat. Dalits are being attacked with impunity, says JD(U) lawmaker Sharad Yadav in Rajya Sabha.

21 July 2016, 13:10 PM

Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 2 pm.

21 July 2016, 12:32 PM

Security forces in Kashmir have tried to exercise maximum restraint - Home Minister

21 July 2016, 12:28 PM

Kashmiri youth are being instigated - Home Minister

21 July 2016, 12:25 PM

The government has taken all necessary steps in Kashmir - Rajnath Singh

21 July 2016, 12:20 PM

The Kashmir issue needs to be dealt with collectively. Everyone needs to partake in the responsibility of making the situation better - Home Minister

21 July 2016, 12:18 PM

Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee had once said, "Chingari ka khel bura hota hai, auro ke ghar aag lagane ka jo sapna apne hi ghar main khada hota hai" - Rajnath

21 July 2016, 12:22 PM

Pakistan should not worry about people following Islam in India - Rajnath Singh

21 July 2016, 12:12 PM

Pakistan instead of fixing its internal matters is trying to destabilize India, says Rajnath Singh

21 July 2016, 12:10 PM

Home Minister Rajnath Singh is speaking in the Lok Sabha on the Kashmir unrest issue.

21 July 2016, 09:52 AM

ANI reports that a short duration discussion will start at 2 pm in the Rajya Sabha on the issue of "recent incidents of atrocities on Dalits in the country".

21 July 2016, 09:42 AM

21 July 2016, 09:30 AM

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi is slated to visit Una in Gujarat today to meet the victims of assault on Dalits.

Gujarat violence: Rahul Gandhi to visit Una amid blame game over Dalit protests

21 July 2016, 09:00 AM

The fourth day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament is likely to be stormy on Thursday as the upper house, the Rajya Sabha, takes up a debate on the issue of recent atrocities against Dalits in Gujarat's Una town.

Amid uproar and disruptions on Wednesday, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi had tried to pacify the Opposition by stating that a debate on the issue would be taken up on Thursday (today).

The issue of Dalit unrest in Gujarat had led to numerous disruptions in Parliament on Wednesday as opposition members accused the government of being anti-Dalit.

Both Houses saw protests from opposition parties, even as the Modi government made statements in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha stressing that the Gujarat government took appropriate action to tackle the situation.

While the Rajya Sabha lost the entire day to protests and adjournments, the Lok Sabha witnessed an uproar but the issue did not lead to adjournments.

In the Lok Sabha, the highlight was a video clip that showed Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi dozing off when his party members were protesting against the Home Minister's response on the Dalit issue.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi, addressing the Congress parliamentary party on Wednesday morning, had announced that the party would take up the matter.