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Rajya Sabha passes censure motion

The motion, moved by Congress leader Arjun Singh, was adopted unanimously by a voice vote and no division was pressed on it.

The motion read: "That this House expresses its deep sense of anguish at the persistence of violence in Gujarat for over six weeks, leading to loss of lives of a large number of persons, destruction of property worth crores of rupees and urges the Central government to intervene effectively under Article 355 of the Constitution to protect the lives and properties of the citizens and to provide effective relief and rehabilitation to the victims of violence."

Kant congratulated the members for passing the motion unanimously in a spirit of resilience and accommodation and hoped this would strengthen the confidence of the people.

Winding up the 17-hour debate, Arjun Singh said Chief Minister Narendra Modi should be removed to restore confidence among the people.

He wanted an inquiry into the riots by a Supreme Court judge as the present inquiry appointed by the state government was a "drama and a trash".

Arjun Singh demanded that as suggested by the National Human Rights Commission the cases relating to the communal violence be probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

He told Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee that it was not for the Opposition to suggest what should be done in Gujarat but he should fulfil constitutional responsibilities.

"We shall not do anything to remove you from power as is being feared in some quarters, but when people give their verdict we will highlight the fact that Constitution has been violated in Gujarat," he said in reply to Vajpayee's charge that the Congress was hungry for power.

Arjun Singh said the tenor of the prime minister's speeches was not correct, adding that as long as the government did not take specific actions everything was meaningless.

"Your intentions are clear. But beware of those trying to fulfil their own interests," he said.

PTI

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