Hurriyat leader Masarat Alam's release rocks Parliament

Mar 9 The release of Hurriyat leader Masarat Alam by the new Jammu and Kashmir government rocked both houses of Parliament today. In the Lok Sabha, the issue was raised by Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge. Earlier, Congress and Trinamool Congress gave adjournment motion to discuss this issue. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan did not allow the issue to be raised during the Question Hour. Parliamentary affairs minister M Venkaiah Naidu said the Jammu and Kashmir state government did not consult the centre on the hardliner leader’s release and assured the House that Home minister will give a statement on the issue. But the opposition Congress, TMC, NCP and CPI(M) members trooped into the well of the House and raised slogans. In the din, the Speaker adjourned the House till 11.30. The Rajya Sabha was also adjourned for a brief period on the issue of the release of Alam. As soon as the House met for the day, Anand Sharma of the Congress raised the issue alleging that PDP-led government in Jammu and Kashmir has comprised country’s security. Mr Sharma demanded Prime Minister to clarify on the matter. BSP chief Mayawati said the release of the Hurriyat expressed concern over the release of Hurriyat leader and said the step is an anti-national. She asked BJP to keep the country’s interest above power politics. Sharad yadav of the JD(U) and Derek O’ Brien of the Trinamool Congress held BJP responsible. Leader of the House, Arun Jaitley said that neither his government nor the party will compromise with the issue of national security. Several of the Congress members trooped into the well of the House demanding immediate statement of the Home Minister. Taking note of the situation, Deputy Chairman Prof. P J Kurien adjourned the House for 20 minutes till noon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today assured the Lok Sabha that there will be no compromise on national security. Intervening in the Lok Sabha on the issue of Hurriyat hardliner Masarat Alam’s release from a jail in Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime minister said, the Central government was neither informed nor consulted on this. Echoing the sentiments of the members, Mr Modi said, this anger does not belong to any political party but to the entire nation and entire House. Earlier, making a statement, Home minister Rajnath Singh said, the Centre has sought clarifications from the Jammu and Kashmir government on the release. The Home Minister informed the House that although 27 criminal cases are against Masarat Alam, but he has been granted bail in all the cases. Mr Singh also informed the House that the High Court has said, a person can not be detained for more than two years under the Public Safety Act. Not satisfied with the reply of the Prime Minister and Home Minister, Congress, Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, RJD and CPI(M) staged a walkout.