New Delhi, August 13: CPI(M) MP V. Shivdasan stated that the government was compelled to send the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) Bill to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) not out of its own volition, but due to opposition intervention and their struggle.
He explained that the government aimed to present and pass the bill during this session. However, due to the interference from opposition parties and political and civil rights groups, who unitedly opposed the bill and the government’s stance, it was referred to the JPC.
In response to BJP MP Sushmita Dev’s comments regarding traditional attire, Shivdasan remarked, “An individual’s clothing is their right. We South Indians, especially from Kerala, traditionally wear dhotis. Thus, wearing a dhoti is part of our culture. Using derogatory language about our attire is unacceptable. The strength of our country lies in its diversity. Different states in North India have their own cultures, while the Northeast’s culture differs from the South. Southern culture is also distinct from Western culture. Various cultures, clothing, and culinary habits are integral to our nation, yet the BJP fails to understand their significance.”
Commenting on the Cauvery water dispute and the Karnataka shutdown, Shivdasan noted, “Water distribution is a significant issue not only in the South but everywhere. Some intellectuals predict that water could be a cause of future conflicts. Therefore, the water issue should be resolved through dialogue and mutual understanding. Like air, water belongs to everyone, not just one state or individual. We must ensure its distribution is for rightful purposes and done fairly. This is my opinion. Dialogue between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka is also essential to resolve this issue.”
In a letter to Union Education Minister Prakash Javadekar, he stated, “The protests by students in Jharkhand are based on legitimate issues. We also need to discuss similar matters in Bihar, Kolkata, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. In Jharkhand, the BJP is attempting to use this as a political weapon against opposition parties. Similarly, in Uttar Pradesh, students are struggling for valid reasons. SC students in three to four medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh are opposing the state government’s reservation policy. This is a serious issue. They have not been granted their right to admission through the reservation system. Therefore, this is a critical matter in Uttar Pradesh. I have already received a request from students in Uttar Pradesh, and today I will send a letter to the Union Education Minister. This is a serious issue related to medical colleges, where the Uttar Pradesh government has denied students admission under the correct reservation system.”
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