BJP 'threatening' people and 'misusing' government agencies: Rahul Gandhi 2
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has taken a swipe at the ruling BJP government, saying it is “threatening” the people and “misusing” the country’s agencies as he addressed a gathering of the Indian diaspora.
Speaking at an event in Santa Clara, California on Tuesday, Gandhi said the BJP and the RSS are controlling all the instruments of politics in India.
He said before starting his ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, he realised that the normal tools that have historically been used in politics were not working anymore.
“The BJP is threatening people and misusing government agencies. The Bharat Jodo Yatra started because all the instruments that we needed to connect with the people were controlled by the BJP-RSS,” he said.
“We were also finding that in some way, it had become quite difficult to act politically. And that’s why we decided to walk from the southernmost tip of India to Srinagar,” he said.
Gandhi said the yatra carried the spirit of affection, respect and humility.
“If one studies history, it can be seen that all spiritual leaders — including Guru Nanak Dev ji, Guru Basavanna ji, Narayana Guru ji — united the nation in a similar way,” he said.
Gandhi said India is not what is being shown in the media which likes to promote a political narrative that is far from reality, asserting that there is a “huge distortion”.
“It was very clear to me in the Yatra that it’s in the media’s interest to project these things, it helps the BJP. So, don’t think that everything you see in the media is the truth,” he said.
“India is not what the media shows. The media likes to show a particular narrative. It likes to promote a political narrative that is actually not what is going on in India,” he said.
The Congress leader arrived here on Tuesday for a three-city US tour during which he will interact with the Indian diaspora and meet American lawmakers.
Last week, Indian Overseas Congress chairperson Sam Pitroda said Gandhi’s visit is aimed at promoting shared values and a vision of “real democracy”.
“The purpose of his (Gandhi’s) trip is to connect, interact and begin a new conversation with various individuals, institutions and media, including the Indian diaspora that is growing in numbers in the United States and abroad to promote the shared values and vision of the real democracy with a focus on freedom, inclusion, sustainability, justice, peace and opportunities world over,” Pitroda said in a statement.
Students and interns allege Patanjali of failing to provide internship certificates 4
Students and interns at Patanjali Ayurveda College, founded by yoga guru Baba Ramdev, are facing a major setback as they allege that they have not received their experience certificates and other crucial documents after completing their internships at Patanjali Wellness and Patanjali Yog Gram.
Numerous students hailing from the Uttarakhand region have voiced their grievances, stating that despite successfully completing internship and training programs lasting either one or two years, they are unable to obtain the necessary proof of their internships. This disturbing revelation has raised concerns and cast a shadow over the reputation of the esteemed institution.
A student interning at Patanjali Yog Gram Haridwar, Sonu Singh, said,“I enrolled for the internship program at Patanjali.” “I finished my 6-month internship but was not given a certificate of completion. I have been following up with the faculty for a year now.”
He further said, “There are more than 100 such students who have yet to receive their certificate, which is required to pursue their further careers.” “I have all of the documentation to prove my internship, and the salary I was paid is reflected in my bank account.”
Recently, the Uttarakhand High Court ordered the Patanjali Bhartiya Ayurvigyan Evam Anusandhan Sansthan to release the degree certificates and other documents of 24 students who graduated from the institute’s Bachelor of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) program in 2020.
“The students again moved the high court, saying even three years after the course, documents were not released. In their petition, they have demanded the release of all documents from the principal of Patanjali Ayurveda College, Professor Anil Kumar,” according to a report published in the Times of India.
“Hundreds of students are harassed by Patanjali Yog Peeth; we serve here unconditionally, but when it comes to changing careers, they don’t support it,” said Dr. Gautam, an acutherapist at Patanjali Wellness. “Even so, they hire hundreds of new professionals each year and ask the old ones to leave.”
“Patanjali is a bit of a scam and a pain when it comes to professional work,” a homeopathy doctor at Patanjali said. “Management is obsessed with money, so they have no regard for the people who work for them.”
Patanjali is led by Acharya Bal Krishna, a billionaire who owns the majority of the private company and is represented by yoga guru Baba Ramdev. Their meteoric rise occurred after the BJP took power and Prime Minister Narendra Modi promoted yoga and Ayurveda in the face of rising Hindu nationalism. When Prime Minister Modi opened the Patanjali Research Institute in Uttarakhand in May 2017, Reuters reported that the company had received land discounts totaling more than USD 46 million in BJP-controlled states.
Afternoon Voice attempted to contact the management of Patanjali Ayurveda College and Patanjali Wellness for comment on the students’ claims, but we have yet to hear back.
Twitter suspends ex-IPS officer NC Asthana for making threatening comments for protesting wrestlers 7
Twitter suspended the account of retired IPS officer Dr NC Asthana, who also served as DGP Kerala, on Tuesday for making threatening comments for protesting wrestlers in Delhi.
The suspension from the social media platform comes after the former top cop tweeted that the protesting wrestlers “will be shot if needed”. Asthana’s remarks apparently came when one athlete was heard shouting, “Goli maar do hume (shoot all of us)” at the Jantar Mantar while the police were attempting to detain the protesters marching toward the new parliament building on Sunday.
Asthana’s complete tweet reads, “Will even shoot if necessary. But not because you’re saying.” The officer further wrote, “We have just dragged and dumped you like a sack of garbage now. Article 129 gives the police the right to shoot. That wish will be fulfilled if the circumstances demand it. But for that, you need to be educated. See you again at the postmortem table!”
Screenshot of the tweet:
Twitter suspends ex-IPS officer NC Asthana for making threatening comments for protesting wrestlers 8
The retired officer’s remark did not go well, prompting the Indian Police Foundation to condemn Asthana’s statement as “unacceptable behavior.”
In a tweet, the Indian Police Foundation said, “Deeply disturbing to see such a threatening tweet from a retired police officer. This kind of behaviour is unacceptable. It tarnishes the reputation of the entire police force. (sic)”
Deeply disturbing to see such a threatening tweet from a retired police officer. This kind of behaviour is unacceptable. It tarnishes the reputation of the entire police force. pic.twitter.com/KeTpTh35jY
— Indian Police Foundation (@IPF_ORG) May 29, 2023
The internet quickly turned on Asthana, and his remarks were widely condemned and shamed. Fans, fellow athletes, and public figures took to social media to express their outrage and demand an apology from Asthana.
The country’s top wrestlers, who were detained by Delhi Police and removed from their Jantar Mantar protest site, on Tuesday said they will throw their hard-earned medals into river Ganges and sit on a hunger strike ”until death” at the India Gate.
Sakshi Malik, a bronze medallist at the 2026 Olympics, said in a statement on her Twitter handle that the wrestlers will go to Haridwar on Tuesday to immerse the medals into the holy river at 6 pm.
”These medals are our life and soul. We are going to throw them in the Ganges. After that there is no point of living, so we will sit on a hunger strike until death at India Gate,” she said in the statement written in Hindi. The same statement was also shared by her compatriot Vinesh Phogat.
Tuesday happens to be Ganga Dussera in Haridwar and possibly a day when lot of people will be there to offer prayers.
On Sunday, Delhi police detained Malik along with World Championships bronze winner Vinesh Phogat and another Olympic medallist Bajrang Punia and later filed FIRs against them for violation of law and order, as dramatic scenes unfolded at the protest site at Jantar Mantar.
Unprecedented scenes of police dragging the Olympic and world championships medal-winning players were witnessed when the wrestlers and their supporters breached the security cordon ahead of their march towards the new Parliament building for the planned women’s ‘Mahapanchayat’.
The wrestlers did not have permission to move towards the new Parliament building, hours after it was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and when they were stopped by police, an ugly scuffle broke out.
The protesting wrestlers and their supporters were taken to different locations in the national capital and later released.
After the wrestlers were pushed into buses, the police officers cleared the protest site by removing the cots, mattresses, coolers, fans and the tarpaulin ceiling along with other belongings of the grapplers.
The Delhi Police said it will not allow the wrestlers back into the protest site.
Delhi HC issues notice to Yasin Malik on NIA plea seeking death penalty for him in terror funding case 11
The Delhi High Court on Monday issued a notice to separatist leader Yasin Malik, who is presently serving a life term, on a plea by the National Investigation Agency seeking death penalty for him in a terror funding case.
A bench of Justices Siddharth Mridul and Talwant Singh also issued warrants for production of Malik before it on August 9.
Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, who appeared on behalf of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), argued that the accused indulged in terrorist and secessionist activities and should be awarded death penalty by treating the matter as a “rarest of rare” case.
Mehta stated that Malik committed the ”sensational” killing of four IAF officers and even kidnapped the daughter of then home minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed which led to the release of four dreaded criminals who masterminded the 26/11 attack in Mumbai in 2008. “In view of the ground that Yasin Malik, sole respondent in this appeal, has inter alia pleaded guilty to a charge under IPC section 121 (waging war against the Government of India) which provides for an alternate death sentence, we issue notice to him… to be served through the jail superintendent,” the court ordered.
Let warrants be issued for his production on the next date of hearing, it added.
The court also issued notice to Malik on NIA’s application seeking condonation of delay in ”re-filing” the present appeal. Mehta urged the court to condone the delay, saying ”technicalities” should not have a bearing in matters such as the present one. On May 24, 2022, a trial court here had awarded life imprisonment to Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front chief Malik after holding him guilty for various offences under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the IPC.
Malik had pleaded guilty to the charges, including those under the UAPA, and he was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Before the high court, SG Mehta said the NIA’s plea was an appeal against the sentencing order as he emphasised that a terrorist cannot be awarded life sentence because he has pleaded guilty and chosen not to go through trial.
Such a tactic by an accused to avoid death penalty, he said, cannot be allowed when he knows that facing trial would lead to imposition of capital punishment.
”Any terrorist can come here, do terrorist activities, plead guilty and court says since he has pleaded guilty, I give him only life term and not capital punishment,” said Mehta, adding that even Osama bin Laden would have been permitted to plead guilty here and that ”possibly the USA was right” in its dealing with the Al Qaeda founder.
The court responded that there could be no comparison between Malik and Laden as the latter never faced trial and it would not comment on matters affecting foreign relations.
During his submissions, Mehta said Malik crossed over to Pakistan for training, was coordinating stone pelting and spreading ”rumours” on social media about oppression by security forces.
”If this is not ‘rarest of rare’ when someone is continuously, by armed rebellion, killing army people and propagating one region of the nation as separate, there can never be rarest of case. This is rarest of rare case (for awarding a death penalty)… If this is not, what could be,” he said.
Mehta said even in the trial court order, the judge has observed that there was ”no reformation” even though Malik claimed to have ”given up guns in 1994 but he never expressed regret for the violence”. The court asked the NIA to bring its attention to the law commission report on death penalty in its submissions in the matter. It also directed that the trial court record be brought before it. In its plea before the high court for enhancement of the sentence to death penalty, the NIA has said if such “dreaded terrorists” are not given capital punishment on account of pleading guilty, there would be complete erosion of the sentencing policy and terrorists would have a way out to avoid capital punishment.
A life sentence, the NIA has asserted, is not commensurate with the crime committed by terrorists when the nation and families of soldiers have suffered loss of lives, and that the trial court’s conclusion that Malik’s crimes did not fall within the category of the “rarest of the rare cases” for grant of death penalty is “ex-facie legally flawed and completely unsustainable”.
The agency has emphasised that it has been proved beyond reasonable doubt that Malik spearheaded terrorist activities in the Valley and with the help of dreaded foreign terrorist organisations, had been “masterminding, planning, engineering and executing armed rebellion in the Valley in an attempt to usurp the sovereignty and integrity of a part of India”.
“Not giving capital punishment to such dreaded terrorist will result in miscarriage of justice, as, an act of terrorism is not a crime against society, but it is a crime against the entire nation; in other words it is an act of ‘external aggression’, ‘an act of war’ and an ‘affront to the sovereignty of nation’,” the plea has said.
The trial court, which had rejected the NIA’s plea for capital punishment, had said the crimes committed by Malik struck at the ”heart of the idea of India” and were intended to forcefully secede Jammu and Kashmir from the Union of India. It had, however, noted that the case was not the “rarest of rare”, warranting death penalty.
The maximum punishment for such an offence is death penalty.
The life term was awarded for two offences — section 121 and section 17 (raising funds for terrorist act) of the UAPA. According to the Supreme Court, life imprisonment means incarceration till the last breath unless the sentence is commuted by the authorities.
The court had awarded Malik 10-year jail term each under sections 120 B (criminal conspiracy), 121-A of IPC and sections 15 (terrorism), 18 (conspiracy for terrorism) and 20 (being member of terror organisation) of the UAPA.
It had also awarded five-year jail term each under sections 13 (unlawful act), 38 (offence related to membership of terrorism) and 39 (support given to terrorism) of the UAPA.
The court had framed the charges against Kashmiri separatist leaders, including Farooq Ahmed Dar alias Bitta Karate, Shabbir Shah, Masarat Alam, Md Yusuf Shah, Aftab Ahmad Shah, Altaf Ahmad Shah, Nayeem Khan, Md Akbar Khanday, Raja Mehrajuddin Kalwal, Bashir Ahmad Bhat, Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Abdul Rashid Sheikh and Naval Kishore Kapoor.
A charge sheet was also filed against Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed and Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin, both of whom have been declared proclaimed offenders in the case and are living in Pakistan.
Japan puts missile defences on alert as North Korea warns of satellite launch 13
Japan put its ballistic missile defences on alert on Monday, vowing to shoot down any projectile that threatened its territory after North Korea notified it of a satellite launch between May 31 and June 11. The nuclear-armed North says it has completed its first military spy satellite and leader Kim Jong Un has approved final preparations for the launch.
It would be the North’s latest step in a series of missile launches and weapons tests in recent months, including a new, solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile. Japan expects North Korea to fire the rocket carrying its satellite over the southwest island chain as it did in 2016, a defence ministry spokesperson said.
Analysts say the new satellite is part of a surveillance technology programme that includes drones, aimed at improving the ability to strike targets in wartime. “We will take destructive measures against ballistic and other missiles that are confirmed to land in our territory,” Japan’s defence ministry said in a statement.
Japan would use its Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) or Patriot Missile PAC-3 to destroy a North Korean missile, it added. Any North Korean missile launch would be a serious violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions condemning its nuclear and missile activity, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters.
“We strongly urge North Korea to refrain from launching,” his office said on Twitter, adding that it would co-operate with its U.S. ally, South Korea and other countries, and do all it could to collect and analyse information from any launch. South Korea joined Japan in urging the reclusive North to scrap its planned satellite launch.
“If North Korea presses ahead, it will pay the price and suffer,” a spokesperson of the South’s foreign ministry said in a statement that urged the North to withdraw its “illegal” launch plan. Kim Gunn, the South’s special envoy for peace and security affairs on the peninsula held a three-way telephone call with his counterparts from Japan and the United States, the ministry added.
They agreed to work together closely in leading a united response by the international community to Pyongyang’s planned satellite launch, it said. North Korea has tried several times to launch “earth observation” satellites, of which two appeared to have been successfully placed in orbit, the latest in 2016.
In May, its leader, Kim, inspected a military satellite facility, the KCNA state news agency said. In April, Japan sent to the East China Sea a destroyer carrying the SM-3 interceptors that can hit targets in space, and sent ground-based PAC-3 missiles, designed to strike warheads closer to the ground, to the Okinawan islands.
“The government recognises that there is a possibility that the satellite may pass through our country’s territory,” Hirokazu Matsuno, the chief cabinet secretary, told a regular briefing after the North informed the Japanese coast guard of the plan. North Korean state media have criticised plans by its rivals, Japan, South Korea and the United States, to share real-time data on its missile launches, characterising the three as discussing “sinister measures” to tighten military co-operation.
Debt-ridden Sri Lanka gets $350 mln loan boost from Asian Development Bank 15
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Monday approved a $350 million special policy-based loan to provide budget support to Sri Lanka for economic stabilisation, the regional lender said in a statement. The programme is part of a broader package of financial assistance anchored by the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Extended Fund Facility for the debt-ridden South Asian country, the, ADB said.
The island nation, struggling to emerge from its worst financial crisis since independence in 1948, secured a $2.9 billion bailout from the IMF in March but must now have a debt restructuring framework in place by September to take the programme forward. “ADB is concerned about the deep crisis in the country and its impact on the people of Sri Lanka, especially the poor and the vulnerable, particularly women,” ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa said in the statement.
“ADB is committed to standing with Sri Lanka as it addresses its present challenges and strides toward economic stabilisation, sustainable recovery, and inclusive growth.” Sri Lanka owes $7.1 billion to bilateral creditors, with $3 billion owed to China, $1.6 billion to India and $2.4 billion to the Paris Club, a group of creditor nations.
The government also needs to renegotiate more than $12 billion of debt in eurobonds with overseas private creditors, and $2.7 billion on other commercial loans. “The country faces a long road to recovery and must remain steadfast in the implementation of necessary reforms,” ADB said.
Rohit Raaj will appear alongside Tigmanshu Dhulia and Poonam Dhillon in "Super Woman" 17
Actor Rohit Raaj recently wrapped the shooting of “Super Woman,” which is his second feature film, produced by Golden Ratio Films. Zaigham Imam, an award-winning director, has directed the film. The cast includes actors Meera Chopra, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Poonam Dhillon, and Saanand Verma. The film revolves around the subject of asexuality.
Asexuality is the lack or absence of interest in or desire for any form of sexual activity. Only 1% or less of the total population of the world is asexual, and this is one of the reasons why this concept is still not familiar to society and people.
Rohit said, “It was a delight working along with Tigmanshu Dhulia ji, Poonam Dhillon, and Meera Chopra. The film has a unique and interesting concept around asexuality, and it aims to provide knowledge to the audience. I am cast opposite Meera’s character in the film.”
Rohit added, “Working on a film that addresses a social subject as my second project was a blessing in disguise. It is important to act in films where an actor can show his craft and you don’t feel that you are wasted. Films like these are made more for the art and creative aspects of filmmaking, and it is always a delight to work on such projects.”
Rohit also shared how it was a learning experience to work with the director. He said, “The director, Zaighamji, is just brilliant and easy to work with. He gave me enough freedom on the set to explore my character and my skills to get the best possible outcome on the screen. And it has worked for the best. The film will portray a beautiful story on screen.”
Rohit’s debut film, “Mystery of the Tattoo,” also stars Arjun Rampal, Manoj Joshi, Daisy Shah, and Ameesha Patel in pivotal roles. The crime thriller saw Rohit play the role of a barrister who solves a 20-year-old murder case through his sharpness and the intervention of the police.
The film is currently in post-production and will be released soon.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Monday successfully launched a second generation navigation satellite, using a GSLV rocket with a cryogenic upper stage to do the job. NVS-01 would augment the country’s regional navigation system, providing accurate and real-time navigation.
At the end of a 27.5 hour countdown, the 51.7 metre tall, 3-stage Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle lifted off at a prefixed time of 10.42 am from the second launch pad at this spaceport, situated about 130 km from Chennai. This was GSLV’s 15th flight.
The second generation navigation satellite series dubbed as a significant launch would ensure the continuity of NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) services — an Indian regional satellite navigation system, similar to the GPS, providing accurate and real-time navigation.
Signals from NavIC are designed to provide user position accurate to better than 20 metres and timing accuracy better than 50 nanoseconds.
ISRO Chairman S Somanath congratulated the entire team for the ”excellent outcome” of the mission. ”NVS-01 has been placed in precise orbit by GSLV. Congratulations to the entire ISRO team for making the mission happen,” he said in his post-launch address from the Mission Control Center.
Today’s success came after the GSLV F10 ‘debacle,’ he said referring to the anomaly in the cryogenic stage of the launch vehicle in August 2021, following which the then mission could not be realised.
He expressed joy that ”corrections in the cryogenic stage and lessons learnt have really paid benefits” and credited the Failure Analysis Committee for addressing the problem. Somanath further said NVS-01 is a second generation satellite with additional capabilities. The signals will be more secure, and a civilian frequency band has been introduced, he said. This was one of the five of such satellites.
The rocket, a little short of 20 minutes after it took off, deployed the 2,232 kg satellite into the intended Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) at an altitude of about 251 km.
NVS-01 carried navigation payloads L1, L5 and S bands and the second generation satellite also has an indigenously developed rubidium atomic clock.
It is the first time that an indigenously developed rubidium atomic clock has been used as the scientists earlier opted for imported ones to determine date and location. Ahmedabad-based Space Applications Centre has developed the clock, and according to ISRO, it assumes significance as it is an important technology that only a handful of countries possess.
ISRO developed the NavIC system to meet the positioning, navigation, and timing requirements of the country, particularly with regard to civil aviation and military requirements.
NavIC was earlier known as the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).
”The L1 navigation band is popular for providing position, navigation, and timing services for civilian users and for interoperability with other GNSS (global navigation satellite system) signals,” ISRO said.
Some of the applications of NavIC include terrestrial, aerial and maritime navigation, precision agriculture, location-based services in mobile devices and marine fisheries, among many others.
NavIC offers two services — Standard Position Service (SPS) for civilian users and Restricted Service for strategic users.
NavIC SPS signals are interoperable with the US global navigation satellite system signals, GPS, Glonass from Russia, Galileo (European Union) and BeiDou, China.
Monday’s mission is the sixth operational flight of the GSLV with indigenous cryogenic stages. The mission life of NVS-01 is expected to be better than 12 years, ISRO said.
ISRO has already launched similar navigation satellites–IRNSS-1A,IRNSS-1B,IRNSS-1C, IRNSS-1D, IRNSS-1E,IRNSS-1F,IRNSS-1G, IRNSS-1H and IRNSS-1I.
Of these missions, IRNSS-1H was not successful as the satellite could not be placed into orbit. It was replaced by IRNSS-1I which was successfully launched on April 12, 2018.
PM Narendra Modi unveils plaque; dedicates new Parliament building to nation 20
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday dedicated the new Parliament building to the nation by unveiling the plaque marking the inauguration. Ahead of the inauguration, the PM also felicitated the construction workers with traditional shawls and handed over mementoes.
Meanwhile, ‘Sarv-dharma’ prayers are underway at the new Parliament building, with priests from different religions reciting the traditional verses. Prime Minister Modi installed the sacred ‘Sengol’ in the new Lok Sabha chamber, right next to the Speaker’s chair, after performing puja.
PM Modi also bowed down as a mark of respect before the ‘Sengol’ during the ceremony to mark the beginning of the inauguration ceremony. He was handed over the historic ‘Sengol’ by Adheenams before its installation in the new Parliament building. The ‘Sengol’ was installed as a national symbol of the Amrit Kaal.
After the installation of ‘Sengol’, the Prime Minister also received the blessings of seers of different Adheenams from Tamil Nadu. This is the same Sengol that was accepted by the first Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru at his residence on the night of August 14, in the presence of several leaders.
The inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building began with a traditional ‘pooja’ with Vedic rituals. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla was also present along with PM Modi during the pooja. It is learnt that after the pujas, the dignitaries will examine the premises of the Lok Sabha’s chamber and the Rajya Sabha chamber in the new building.
The morning phase will end at close to 9:30 am after which the second leg of the ceremony is expected to begin at noon with the singing of the national anthem in the Lok Sabha chamber in the presence of all the dignitaries including PM Modi. At 11:30 am, all the invitees including members of Parliament, Lok Sabha Speaker and Rajya Sabha, chairman and other distinguished guests are expected to be seated in the Lok Sabha chamber in the new building.
During this phase, a speech will be delivered by the Deputy Rajya Sabha Chairman, Hariwansh, who will further read a written congratulatory message on behalf of Rajya Sabha, Chairman, Jagdeep Dhankar. A written message by President Droupadi Murmu will also be read out on the occasion. The present building of the Parliament was completed in 1927 and is now going to be almost 100 years old. The lack of space was being experienced in this building as per the present requirements. In both Houses, there was also a lack of convenient arrangements for the sitting of the MPs which was affecting the efficiency of the work of the Members.
Considering the above, both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha passed resolutions urging the government to construct a new building for the Parliament. Consequently, on December 10, 2020, the foundation stone of the new building of Parliament was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The newly constructed Parliament building has been built in record time with quality construction. Now the newly constructed building of Parliament, which will work to further enrich India’s glorious democratic traditions and constitutional values, is also equipped with state-of-the-art facilities which will help the Members to perform their functions in a better way.
The new Parliament building will enable 888 members to sit in the Lok Sabha. In the present building of the Parliament, there is a provision for the sitting of 543 Members in the Lok Sabha and 250 in the Rajya Sabha.
Keeping in view the future requirements, arrangements have been made for a meeting of 888 members in the Lok Sabha and 384 members in the Rajya Sabha in the newly constructed building of the Parliament. The joint session of both Houses will be held in the Lok Sabha Chamber.
