KL Report
SRINAGAR
Expressing outrage at the behaviour of some Members of Parliament, who force-fed an employee of the Maharashtra Sadan, in New Delhi, against his wishes and religious belief, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Wednesday strongly protested against the Lok Sabha not given a chance to debate this serious issue of violating human dignity and personal liberties.
The party president, who represents South Kashmir in the Lok Sabha, and her colleague in the House, Tariq Hameed Karra, raised the issue in the parliament and presented a copy of a newspaper to the speaker which carried the report of Shiv Sena MPs from Maharashtra forcing an employee to eat against his wishes.
The matter evoked protests within the House and a demand was made for a full-fledged debate on this issue. But, after the speaker allowed only one member from the opposition to speak on this inglorious incident the entire opposition walked out along with the PDP parliamentarians.
Mehbooba, later, said while it was disturbing that the religious freedom of an individual had been breached by none other than the representatives of the people, who are supposed to be the guardians of everybody’s rights, the issues involved in this episode are of wider concern.
She said even if it was not a Muslim observing Ramzan fast nobody has the right to force-feed someone against his wishes. Mehbooba said the parliamentarians have set a very bad precedence which, unfortunately, was taken very lightly by the House. She said her party is in the forefront of the fight for human rights, civil liberties and individual dignity and would continue to raise voice against any inhuman and intolerant behaviour.
