Latest news with #SaptagiriUlaka
The Hindu
01-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
NDA MPs walk out protesting Medha Patkar's presence at meet of House panel on rural development
A meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development, headed by Congress leader Saptagiri Ulaka, reviewing the implementation of law on land acquisition on Tuesday (July 1, 2025), was abruptly ended owing to 'lack of quorum' after BJP MPs walked out objecting to summoning activist Medha Patkar to appear before it. The committee was meeting officials from Rural Development, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, along with 10 other experts from civil society, including actor Prakash Raj. It was reviewing the implementation of 'Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013'. The protests began soon after Mr. Ulaka read out the list of witnesses. The NDA MPs described the activist, who led the Narmada Bachao Andolan in Gujarat and elsewhere, as 'anti-national and anti-development' and should not be allowed to present her views. A ruling party MP, according to sources, even asked whether the panel will next be calling the Pakistan Prime Minister. There were eight NDA MPs and seven opposition MPs. When Mr. Ulaka and other opposition members were of the view that the meeting should be continued, and since witnesses are already here, they must be heard. At this point, the NDA MPs staged a walkout. Even as the remaining members were deliberating on what to do next, the Speaker's office sent a message that since the panel does not have a quorum the meeting should be ended. Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Ulaka said due procedure was followed and the list of witnesses was circulated in advance to all the members. If they had objections, they should have raised it before the meeting. The Speaker's office too was informed about the witnesses as part of the usual procedure. 'It is unfortunate that NDA members did not want to even listen to them. The standing committee reports are not binding on the government. And neither can the chairman force a report. The standing committees provide a platform to hear everyone. Stalling such interactions can be grievous to democracy,' he said.
Deccan Herald
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Odisha stampede: Congress demands CM Majhi's resignation, judicial probe
Addressing a press conference at the Congress' Indira Bhawan headquarters in Delhi, Congress MP Saptagiri Ulaka and party leader Arabinda Das said the Rath Yatra is not merely an event but is a 1,200-year-old living tradition.
India Gazette
18-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"CM should resign on moral grounds": Congress MP on gangrape of 20-yr-old woman in Odisha
New Delhi [India], June 18 (ANI): Days after the alleged gangrape of a 20-year-old woman at the Gopalpur beach in Odisha's Ganjam district, Congress MP Saptagiri Ulaka on Wednesday demanded the resignation of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on 'moral grounds'. He also alleged that the State is witnessing an increase in crimes against women over the last year. Ulaka told ANI, 'It is a very sad and tragic a heinous crime, how dare they do something like this in Gopalpur? This is because over the last year, the atrocities against women have increased. We have been demanding continuously to take action. We wanted to form a House Committee. I have raised this in Parliament that around 50,000 women are missing. Multiple brutal rapes are happening all over the state' He further alleged that the BJP-led government is not taking any action to prevent crimes against women in the State. 'Because the Government is not taking any steps and nothing is happening, the perpetrators have the courage to do such activities. I think the CM should be held accountable for this because he is also the Home Minister. So, on moral grounds, ideally, the CM should resign. But we have seen that the BJP government never takes accountability.' 'If there is any shame left, the CM should resign immediately. This is our demand. Women's Commission has also taken suo motu cognisance. But this is not enough, someone has to take accountability and ensure that women and girls in the state are safe.' Earlier on the day, Congress leaders and workers enter into a scuffle with police on Wednesday as they protested against the recent Gopalpur beach gang rape case. The protesters, demanding the resignation of the Chief Minister, were marching towards the CM's residence when they were stopped by the police. The police detained several Congress leaders and workers during the protest. The horrific gang-rape of a 20-year-old college student at the Gopalpur beach in Odisha's Ganjam district sparked a row with the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) calling it a 'complete breakdown' of law and order. The police have nabbed 10 people - six adults and four juveniles - in connection with the gang rape of the 20-year-old-college student from Berhampur, who was out with her male friend in the Gopalpur beach on Monday. According to the police, around 8 pm, 10 local youths, six adults and four minors at the beach overpowered the woman and her male friend. Three of the accused allegedly raped the woman while others kept watch on her male friend. The police immediately launched an investigation after the woman and her male friend registered a police complaint at the police station after 10 pm. 'After 10 pm, the woman and man came to the police station. As soon as the police reported the incident, they formed a team, and seven suspects were detained for questioning. The rest of three accused were also detained. All 10 accused - six adults and four minors - the adults have been arrested, the minors have been produced before the Juvenile Justice Board. Pleas will be sent to the Juvenile Justice Board to treat minors as adults, as they are above 16. They are all 17 years old,' Berhampur SP said. Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep condemnation of the heinous gang rape incident in Gopalpur, stating that strict and exemplary action will be taken against the perpetrators. (ANI)
