NEW DELHI: The JNU issue raging across the country will find more than an echo in Parliament as the government on Monday said it was ready for a debate on the same. Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said there were different views on the issue which need to be addressed and debated.
“It’s a big country and yes, there are several issues. That’s what Parliament is there for, to discuss those issues. Government has no hesitation in discussing JNU or Hyderabad University or any other issues. There are different views on it which needs to be debated,” Naidu said after an all-party meeting held on the eve of the Budget session. The issue could be taken up for discussion on February 24. While the Opposition is set to attack the government for “suppressing” freedom of expression, the ruling BJP will use the opportunity to argue that the JNU campus was used to raise “anti-India” slogans. BJP MPs wanted the party’s nod to raise the issue so that they can “bring out the facts,” sources said.
The Budget session will start on February 23 with President Pranab Mukherjee addressing the joint session of Parliament. The Railway Budget will be presented on February 25 while the Union Budget will be presented on February 29. The government said Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill and real estate bill were key reform legislations that need to be passed. The Opposition is insisting that debate on issues like JNU, suicide of Hyderabad University student, Pathankot attack, Jat reservations and violence be discussed first before any legislation can be taken up.