Trinamool Congress urges Modi to address parliament on Bangladesh situation 

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) today (12 December) called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address parliament regarding the situation in neighbouring Bangladesh.

The demand was raised in the Rajya Sabha by TMC's Parliamentary Party leader Derek O'Brien during the post-lunch session, as he sought to raise a point of order, reports PTI.

He quoted Rule 251, and said he wanted the Prime Minister to come and give a statement on Bangladesh issue.

Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar however said it was not a point of order and did not allow O'Brien to continue.

The refusal was followed by TMC MPs breaking out into sloganeering in the house.

Talking to reporters outside parliament, TMC's deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Sagarika Ghose said the Prime Minister should give a statement on the issue in Parliament.

"The parliament is in session, it is a very sensitive matter on the situation in Bangladesh, the Prime Minister must come to Parliament and give a full statement on Bangladesh in Parliament," Ghose said.

"Our party leader Derek O'Brien raised this issue today that we are deeply concerned about people in Bangladesh, particularly the minorities," she said.

"The prime minister should come to parliament and give a full statement and full clarification on what the government of India intends to do with regard to the situation in Bangladesh," she said.

Concerns have been expressed in India repeatedly over the targeting of Hindus in Bangladesh since Muhammad Yunus took charge in early August.

According to sources, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri yesterday told the parliamentary standing committee on external affairs that Bangladesh had assured action against perpetrators of violence against minorities in the country.