Opposition MPs Protest Against Rising Onion Prices Outside Parliament
On August 8, MPs from various opposition parties gathered outside the Indian Parliament to protest against the rising prices of onions and other vegetables. They wore garlands made of onions and chanted slogans like ‘pyaaj ka daam kam karo…’.
Criticism of the Government
RJD MP Manoj Jha criticized the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not providing a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP). He demanded transparency on taxpayer money spent on the PM and Cabinet ministers.
Disparity in Export Permissions
Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi pointed out that onion farmers in Maharashtra are not allowed to export their produce, while those in Gujarat are. She emphasized that the government should fulfill its promise to double farmers’ income by providing MSP.
Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024
The BJP-led government plans to introduce the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha. The bill aims to address issues related to the powers of State Waqf Boards, registration and survey of waqf properties, and removal of encroachments. Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju will introduce the bill. However, Congress and Samajwadi Party MPs, including KC Venugopal and Hibi Eden, have submitted notices to oppose the bill.
Doubts Revealed
MPs -: MPs stands for Members of Parliament. They are people elected by the public to make laws and decisions for the country.
Indian Parliament -: The Indian Parliament is the place where laws are made for the country. It has two parts: the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States).
RJD -: RJD stands for Rashtriya Janata Dal. It is a political party in India, mainly active in the state of Bihar.
Manoj Jha -: Manoj Jha is a politician from the RJD party. He is a Member of Parliament and often speaks on issues affecting the public.
MSP -: MSP stands for Minimum Support Price. It is a price set by the government to buy crops from farmers to ensure they get a fair price.
Shiv Sena -: Shiv Sena is a political party in India, mainly active in the state of Maharashtra. It was founded by Bal Thackeray.
Priyanka Chaturvedi -: Priyanka Chaturvedi is a politician from the Shiv Sena party. She is a Member of Parliament and speaks on various issues.
Maharashtra -: Maharashtra is a state in western India. It is known for its capital city, Mumbai, which is the financial hub of India.
Gujarat -: Gujarat is a state in western India. It is known for its rich culture and as the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi.
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party. It is one of the major political parties in India and currently leads the central government.
Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 -: The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 is a proposed change to the laws governing Waqf properties. Waqf properties are lands or buildings given for religious or charitable purposes in Islam.
Congress -: Congress, also known as the Indian National Congress, is one of the oldest political parties in India. It has played a major role in India’s history and politics.
Samajwadi Party -: Samajwadi Party is a political party in India, mainly active in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It focuses on social justice and equality.