From China and Maldives to Gyanvapi and Mathura, Adhir questions govt in Lok Sabha

Chowdhury called the Presidential address a BJP “election manifesto” and asked why it did not make a single mention of the country’s security concerns. “I wish to ask the Defence Minister what is the situation in Ladakh. You said you will establish status quo ante. Where is it? Day by day the situation in Ladakh is worsening. About 2,000 sq km have been encroached… We have been demanding a discussion on China… What is happening in Maldives? Where was Ajit Doval?” Chowdhury said.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took exception to Chowdhury’s remarks and said, “I disagree with everything he has said about Sino-India relations. I condemn it… India is not weak anymore… India knows how to give a befitting reply. It is not good to put down one’s own country in the House for no apparent reason. If it was their government, we would stand by them for the country.”

To this, Chowdhury said, “For the country, even we stand with you. You please fight. But you are not fighting. You are scared. That is why we are worried.”

Chowdhury also questioned the government’s narrative on development.

“What is viksit bharat? When we will become viksit bharat, I do not know… To confuse people they keep talking about fifth largest and third largest economy. But please tell people what is the per capita GDP. In 2023, our per capita GDP is $2,600. Do you know what is the per capita GDP of the two countries you want to leave behind? Germany’s per capita GDP is $52,800 and of Japan it is $30,900. In per capita income, we are placed at 142nd rank,” he said.

NK Premchandran of RSP expressed disappointment at the President not mentioning minorities. “It is a political speech. Every section of society was mentioned in the speech, but not even a word was spoken about the minorities of the country. You are talking about inclusive development. What about the minorities? There was also total omission of the problems faced by the labour class… The secular-democratic fabric of the country is under threat,” he said.

Shiv Sena (Uddhav) MP Arvind Sawant raised the issue of Manipur. “The President spoke about culture and civilisation. But our civilisation was shamed in Manipur and the President did not mention a word about it. I feel sad. She spoke about Nari Shakti Vandan, but at the same time our sports women were humiliated, we must not forget. You say 25% people have been pulled out of poverty but you are giving free ration to 80 crore people. There is a paradox,” he said.

Pratima Mondal of TMCsaid, “It is astonishing there is no mention of Manipur and the humiliation suffered by women sportspersons. The country witnessed the rapists of Bilkis Bano being garlanded. Being the Constitutional head, a woman and a mother, madam President should have raised her voice”.