Thread by @vijaita

Discussion on #delhiriots in Rajya Sabha.
Congress' Kapil Sibal opens the discussion.
Sibal- There are 47,000 policemen in Delhi, even then riots couldn't be controlled. HM said on Feb 25 that riots were "spontaneous", yday in Lok Sabha he said it was a conspiracy, what changed?

Sibal- HM admitted yday that rioters came from U.P.. It's clear police was supporting the rioters.....NSA Ajit Doval said implementing laws is duty of police and if it doesn't it's a blot on democracy, may be Doval was referring to HM? I don't know

Sibal- what were you doing Home Minister? Delhi never saw riots, surprising that Northeast Delhi has a population of 22 lakh, 68% are hindus. Why no FIR against hate speeches? Desh ke gaddaron speech is a cognisable offence. It was a license to kill.

Sibal- you filed a case against Harsh Mander....If you want to control this virus(communal), you can. But you won't stop it, you want to spread it. We might not be there, but if virus spreads democracy will not survive.

Sibal-Omar,Farooq,Mehbooba were detained on mere suspicion, here ...You are Iron Man Home Minister, please show some regard to Sardar Patel.Where were you? You were in Ahmd for Trump visit,you never issued a statement when the riots were on.I know you will talk of history,of Cong

Sibal-did you arrest the rioters shooting from terrace of Mohan Nursing home? Did the facial recognition technology help you in catching them? Cylinders from Ujjwala scheme were used to burn houses, This was happening in Delhi, PM was silent for 70 hrs. Why are u destroying Const

Sibal- you can do anything to protect cows, but you cannot protect human beings. There is massive internal displacement. FIRs not being registered. Cases where ppl have identified rioters, cases not being registered

Sibal- who are the masked people from U.P who were destroying CCTVs, ask them to stop striking at their own people. .. I want to tell my party too that it's time to leave the comforts of our home,we are the only answer to this virus. Won't let you break this country.

Sudhanshu Trivedi (BJP)- these riots were unique, there was no abrupt reaction, simmered for 2.5 months, just like tandoor. No opposition leader appealed for peace. This protest did not have any objective

Trivedi- there was no leader and no demand. The representatives were available on media but when HM said my doors are open, when SC sent mediators- then no rep was visible. Riots were unique as it started when U.S president Trump was here.

Trivedi- this deepens the conspiracy. You are happy when foreign media raises questions, we don't need to be heard in London. You ask whr was HM? He met NSA at 7 pm on Feb 24, continued meeting till 1 am, he was taking minute by minute updates

Trivedi- the fire that was smouldered for 72 days was doused in 36 hrs by police. Did you see the police running away? Delhi Police is like Iraq, whoever finds an opportunity criticises the police.

Trivedi- all the other riots were secular but only 2002 was a communal riot. What happened with ankit Sharma, his body was mutilated as done along the Pak border. This was a message. Shows the nature and character.

Derek o Brien (TMC)- Mamata di said it was a genocide. Genocide is a process, in Germany it started with slogans. In Bengal, nine were arrested within 24 hrs of making provocative slogans. It is difficult to believe that it did not have consent from the top

Brien- I salute Indian media, going reporters went there, showed courage and conviction. want to urge the media owners to stand up to them like their young colleagues.

Brien- of course this govt has achievements- lynching, pogrom, torn social fabric. TMC opened a small fund, tried to help them. Tell us the HOme Minister, how will you heal? He has come back after holiday

Brien- Mr. PM and HM, first stop following all those Twitter handles spreading bigotry and hatred. Why was chain of command superceded and NSA sent to riot hit areas. You suddenly stopped talking about NRC, we have been warning that CAA-NRC-NPR a toxic combination.

Brien- did you admit yday that personal data was used in facial recognition technology? You can use it, but assure that it is not being used to target innocent people.
who is responsible? The Home Minister has to take responsibility. Assure there will be no other carnage.

S.R Balasubramoniyan (AIADMK)- it is the moral responsibility of Govt to maintain law and order. This issue resonated in Parliaments of other country. Judicial enquiry should be conducted by a sitting judge.

S.R (AIADMK)- the image of the Home Minister as a strong administrator has taken a beating....I hope you will reach out to the minorities.

Javed Ali Khan (SP)- till the time Delhi Police replies satisfactorily to Naresh Gujral's letter I am not ready to believe the clean chit given by HM to Delhi Police. He wrote that DP didn't help people who were stuck in the riot affected areas. His phone calls were ignored

Khan (SP)- let's not do one upmanship on riots. Yday HM said you did not have dinner and lunch with Trump, it would have been better had you stepped down as HM after taking responsibility for the riots.

Prasanna Acharya (BJD)- if it was preplanned conspiracy, is it not the failure on part of the govt that it didn't get a hint of it. Why Didn't it take preventive measures. Isn't it an intelligence failure?

Prasanna Acharya- why no action against hate mongers, either from this or that side. We have to restore normalcy and good feeling among all. There should be generous rehabilitation package. Many house and families destroyed.

Acharya(BJD)- there are misapprehension about CAA, prime responsibility of the govt to dispel it. We supported it, can you not extend CAA to Muslims from Non-Islamic countries where they are in minority. This is a suggestion from my party. Country cannot run for long on religion

Banda Prakash (TRS)- 20 ppl still missing. The riots terrified the entire country. We don't know how many ppl affected? This cannot be seen as a local issue, it was likely outcome of growing intolerance among people.

Banda Prakash (TRS)-We demand whatever the steps to initiate arrest the guilty irrespective of party. Communalism is not less than coronavirus. House must take pledge to save the diversity of the country. TRS stands for unity in diversity

E Kareem (CPI-M)- primary culprit is MHA, adequate forces not deployed. Delhi police was watching the show as mere spectators, goons escaped when police came. This reminds me of 2002 Gujarat riots. The two faces then are heading the Central govt now.

E Kareem- Shocking speech of NSA, whatever happened, happened. The DCP appointed to probe the case was criticised by EC also. We want judicial enquiry. You have blood on your hands, take stringent action

Tiruchi Siva (DMK)- We don't expect resignation from HM, he is not Lal Bahadur Shastri. We expect him to come to the Parliament. Anti CAA protests not only in Delhi but across the country. Muslims organise protest and they say leg us protect the sovereignty of the country.

Tiruchi Siva-what are you going to do with Muslims excluded from Assam NRC? Are you going to quarantine them? Why no clarification from HM on NRC and NPR, so many States opposed to it.

Tiruchi Siva- Why no action against goli maaro hate speeches. A speech triggered a carnage in the country. silence has become the source of chaos. HM says police has done a good job, the police did not give protection. They were mute spectators

Tiruchi Siva- ambulances were not allowed to move. Displaced ppl living in relatives houses. What has the govt done? Whatever happened to conceal real happening. The Indian economy is sinking. Women workforce shrunk from 37% to 18%. HM should have given a suo motu statement.

Swapan Dasgupta (BJP)-CAA was passed with due process on Dec 11. On Dec 13,first protest happen in Kolkata. It spread on 14 to Murshidabad district, railway properties were targeted. Efforts to cut off Chicken neck from rest of India.

Dasgupta (BJP)- And from there we saw Shaheen Bagh, atmosphere of hate started from there (bengal). The purpose was to show that only one community has the right to veto decisions in the country.

Naresh Gujral (SAD)- Feb 23 was a dark day in Delhi's history. Armed hooligans attacked hindus and muslims. The police response was inadequate to say the least. This reminded me of 1984 when an orgy of violence was unleashed by Congress leaders for 3 days on streets of Delhi.

Gujral- It is a mystery who started these riots, so many goondas descended. Our image internationally has certainly been tarnished. Tolerance, equality, compassion must come to centre stage.harmony must counter hate. Time to apply balm.

Gujral- We must never allow a repeat of 1984 where the perpetrators still haven't been arrested. When links were made between CAA,NRC,NPR, that created suspicion in the minds of muslims. I would request the govt to remove their fear.

Gujral- We need to provide health education jobs, our savings are low. We need FDI, FDI will never come when there is strife on the street, it will come when there is harmony.

Ashok Sidharth (BSP)- q is not if the glass escaped, q is where did the stone come from? The first day protestors and police clashed. second day it took Hindu Muslim colour. Third day was horrific-ppl from particular religion were targeted and killed.

Ashok Sidharth (BSP)- you should take inspiration from Mayawati ji, in her four tenures no communal riots took place. Political will is required to stop riots. We request judicial enquiry and adequate compensation for those affected by riots.

Anand Sharma (Cong)- it was expected that Parliament would discuss the riots and express condolences on the first day, it did not happen.

Anand Sharma- for 3 days Capital kept burning. Our culture doesnt teach us this. It is a blot on our democracy and its our responsibility to clean it. You had face tech, despite technology and force such an incident took place. Investigation should be done how it happened then?

Anand Sharma- why wasn't curfew imposed the first day, why no shoot at sight orders? Despite security arrangements for Trump this happened.

Anand Sharma-mixing religion and politics is a lethal combination. When we step out of the house, our dharm granth is the Constitution of India.

Anand Sharma- to say that those opposed to CAA were behind riots is not correct. 11 States are opposed to CAA. The delay in SC is hurting the country, it should be settled...Let there be no politics on it. SC should expedite the hearing on CAA.

Anand Sharma- humanity did not die in this violence. Hindu, muslims,sikhs saved each other. Muslims protected temples, hindus protected mosques.

Sharma- don't give a certificate to police without investigation. We expected PM to be compassionate, PM took four days to tweet. He was silent till then. Didn't condemn the violence in his tweets, would Trump have stopped him?Administration would have listened to him.

Sharma-HM said people from outside came and that it was a conspiracy.This country doesnt need private armies like Ram sene, Hindu Sena or PFI.Take strict action. If it was a conspiracy then it was an intelligence failure, investigate that also. No blamegame,time to provide relief

Sharma-every FIR should be scrutinized. A judicial commission should be constituted,SIT is not enough. SC should oversee. How will you win back the trust of people. sabka saath sabka viswas are empty words.

Vijay Goel(BJP)- I grew up in Chandni Chowk when Hindus were more, today Muslims are more and Hindus less. Chandni Chowk is becoming Jafrabad. I won Chandni Chowk twice. I worked both for Hindus and Muslims.

Manoj Jha (RJD)- protests started spontaneously post 11 dec. What kind of narrative is that women are being used(shaheen bagh). This is an anti woman mindset.

Sanjay Singh(AAP)- humanity was killed in Delhi. Delhi was burning for 3 days, HM/PM were silent HM was enjoying,he doesn't deserve to continue at his post. HM was saying yday that Indians were killed in riots, then why didn't you go to meet the families,compensate them.

Sanjay Singh(AAP)-Delhi CM wrote to you to impose curfew, send army. You were silent because your people were involved.Who were the 300 ppl?U.P has Yogi sarkar,what action was taken against them?premkant was burnt 70% to save Muslims, understand their humanity.dont destroy India.

Abdul Sahab,IUML- HM should send team to Kerala to see how Kerala is handling communalism. This should not be happening in India. Stop the hate statements

Vaiko(MDMK)-Unbearable agony, my heart goes to the bereaved members of the family. The only silver lining was hindu muslims protecting each other. The undercurrent of this country has not died. I salute them.

Vaiko- The @the_hindu newspaper carried several reports, I could not bear to read them.
We are the tallest democracy, we have to bow our head in shame when UN Secy General expressed his concern.

Vaiko- The villain is the CAA, second villain is NRC and the third notorious villain is NPR. Revoke CAA, NRC and NPR.

Bhupendra Yadav (BJP)- you (to Sibal) should have read CAA and educated the people. Your opposition to CAA misled the people.

Bhupender Yadav- Delhi undergone pain, but government also applied balm. I want to congratulate the government.

Binoy Viswam(CPI)- pitiable thing that in those days the country couldn't feel the presence of the govt, the HM was not seen on the streets of Delhi. In Delhi there were conscious efforts on part of ruling party to make hatred a symbol of its politics. Ideology of Islamophobia

Amar Patnaik(BJD)-we have condemned this violence regardless of the originator. Confidence of the community has to be restored, mosques should be reconstructed. CAA should be reconsidered. Any rumours on disharmony has to be prevented.

Home Minister Amit Shah's reply begins- I extend my sympathy to the people killed in the riots, none of the perpetrators will be spared.

Amit Shah-Didn't want sentiments to flare up again before Holi. We didn't want to run away from discussions. We didn't want to hide anything. In democracy you cannot hide anything, we have reached that stage. Police/admin was focussed on relief, rehabilitation and investigation

Shah-Members raised questions if rioters will be shielded on basis of ideology, whether innocents will be arrested. I want to inform you that more than 700 FIRs registered. Police didn't say no to anyone.

Shah- We have appointed public prosecutors at all the 12 police stations and police is working with them Arrests based on scientific evidence.

Shah-O' Brien said facial tech violates privacy. We have not used Aadhar data. I only said driving license and Voter I card. someone has died, houses burnt,still you talk abt privacy? Not violated SC guidelines. Police should be given all powers in such times.

Shah-Till yday 1170 faces were recognised, 1922 faces recognised till today. 336 are from U.P. Border was sealed on 24 feb.area densely populated, not possible to seal state borders in democracies. Vehicle numbers were noted, now they are being matched with driving licenses

Shah- we had info before Feb 24 through agencies that money was routed from foreign sources, money was distributed in Delhi. Investigation was at preliminary stage and riots happened. Five people arrested for hawala transactions.

Shah-All perpetrators involved in the killing of IB official Ankit Sharma and HC Ratan Lal have been arrested. We have the video of people who stabbed Sharma and opened fire at Ratan Lal. The probe into the conspiracy is still on.

Shah- You hurl accusations at me not the police. Police acted swiftly. The riots didn't spread and that success is of Delhi Police. This is essential for morale of the police.

The first info about riots was received on Feb 24, and last call on Feb 25. Later, bodies were recovered. the postmortem showed the time of death as before 6 pm of Feb 25.When I say 'only' 36 hrs,pls dont misconstrue my words, riots shouldn't have happened even
For a minute.

Sanjay Singh said Delhi CM asked for army. When we met on Feb 25, He never made any suggestions then. he demanded this on Feb 27 when riots had stopped. I can understand his emotions as his councillor was arrested.

Shah- Hate speeches started post Dec 11. All parties should unite. CAA doesn't take away citizenship of Muslims.

Sibal- no one saying CAA takes away citizenship. Rule says when NPR will happen, 10 more questions would be asked, the enumerator will mark them as Doubtful voters, this is not against Muslims but against poor people.

Shah- No document will be asked under NPR. You are free to give whatever information you want.
Nobody will be marked a doubtful citizen. No one should be scared of NPR process.

Shah- no one will be marked 'D' if columns are left blank in NPR. I invite Ghulam Nabi Azad ji, Anand Sharma and other Opposition leaders to discuss the NPR.

Shah- during the debate, both sides mentioned hate speeches, because of this a doubt was created in the minds of minorities. It should be dispelled.

Shah- The anti CAA protests converted into communal riots slowly.

Shah- (on HC judge J Muralidhar's transfer)Why do you think only one judge would do justice? I am against this mentality- why a particular judge? Won't others deliver justice?

Shah- Hate speeches, mobilisation of funds and show of strength was displayed when Trump.was here.
Some said it was State sponsored riots, use your common sense. Will our government use the time when a State guest is here to orchestrate riots. We stop riots.

Shah-I want to request people who use social media not to worsen the wounds. I can't compensate the deaths, I only want to say that no rioter will be spared, they will be held irrespective of party,ideology. Both Delhi Govt and Centre working together to compensate the victims