Raising Slogans, Wearing Stickers, and Demanding Probe into Adani’s Indictment

New Delhi, December 5, 2024 – In a dramatic and unusual protest outside Parliament, leaders of several opposition parties in the INDIA bloc, including Congress, RJD, and Left parties, wore black jackets emblazoned with provocative stickers reading “Modi Adani Ek Hai” (Modi and Adani are One) and “Adani Safe Hai” (Adani is Safe). They raised slogans and demanded a joint parliamentary probe into the ongoing Adani controversy following the industrialist’s indictment in a US court on charges of bribery and fraud.

Protest in the Heart of Power

The protest, led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and supported by prominent lawmakers like Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, took place at Parliament’s Makar Dwar, rather than the steps leading directly to the Parliament building, after a warning from the Lok Sabha Secretariat about obstructing the movement of MPs and affecting safety protocols.

Rahul Gandhi: “Modi Can’t Escape Responsibility”

Speaking to reporters during the protest, Rahul Gandhi remarked, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi cannot initiate an investigation into the Adani Group because it would directly implicate him. Modi and Adani are two sides of the same coin, and this connection cannot be ignored. The Prime Minister must come to the House and speak on the issue, and the people of India deserve to know the truth.”

Gandhi’s sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, also joined the protest, demanding that Parliament discuss the serious charges against Adani, including his recent indictment in the US courts. The Congress party has made it clear that it will not rest until a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into the matter is initiated.

The Adani Indictment: A Game-Changer

The allegations against Gautam Adani have created a storm, especially after a US court’s indictment of the Adani Group’s senior executives for bribery and fraud. While opposition parties argue that the charges validate their calls for a thorough investigation, the Adani Group has steadfastly dismissed the claims as “baseless.”

The Congress party has stepped up its demand for the establishment of a JPC, arguing that the Prime Minister’s silence on the issue only deepens suspicions about his involvement in protecting Adani.

Cross-Party Unity and TMC’s Absence

The protest saw leaders from several opposition parties coming together to demand accountability. However, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by Mamata Banerjee, chose to stay away from the demonstration. The absence of the TMC raised questions about the depth of opposition unity on this issue.

Lok Sabha Secretariat’s Advisory

In a response to the ongoing protests, the Lok Sabha Secretariat issued an advisory reminding MPs not to obstruct movement around the Parliament gates. This move came after several opposition leaders staged protests in front of Makar Dwar on Tuesday and Wednesday, despite security concerns flagged by Speaker Om Birla.

The Call for Justice

As the protest gained momentum, leaders like Rahul Gandhi repeated their demand for the immediate arrest of Adani, urging that his alleged crimes should not be swept under the rug. Priyanka Gandhi echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the issue had gone beyond political rivalry and was a matter of national importance.

Adani Group’s Response

The Adani Group has responded to the allegations, labeling them as “baseless” and stating that they are committed to upholding the highest standards of corporate governance. However, their rebuttal has not quelled the opposition’s demands for a full-scale investigation.

What’s Next?

The ongoing tension between the ruling BJP and the opposition parties is expected to escalate, with more protests and debates planned in Parliament. Whether a joint parliamentary committee will be formed to investigate the allegations against Adani remains to be seen. For now, the opposition has made it clear: the matter is far from over.

Minister of Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment, and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmad Rana, met with several deputations today at the Civil Secretariat, where they raised various demands and grievances. The deputations highlighted critical issues affecting their localities and sought the Minister’s intervention in resolving them.

Water Shortage and Road Connectivity Concerns in Nagrota Block

A delegation from Nagrota block, led by former Minister Yogesh Sawhney, raised concerns about the severe water shortage and poor road connectivity in the region. They reported that the dilapidated condition of the roads was causing significant inconvenience to commuters and urged immediate action to address the issue.

Engineers Demand Restoration of SHGES

Another delegation, comprising engineers engaged under the former ‘Self Help Group of Engineers Scheme’ (SHGES), called for the restoration of the scheme. The engineers emphasized that SHGES had provided an alternative employment opportunity for unemployed engineering graduates in the region. They urged the Minister to reinstate the scheme, which they said would greatly ease their livelihood challenges.

India emphasized the crucial role of healthy land in regional stability and called for international collaboration to tackle land degradation and climate change. Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav made these remarks during India’s statement at the 16th UN Conference on Desertification in Riyadh.

Yadav invited countries to join Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ (Plant for Mother) campaign, which aims to combat land degradation and restore ecosystems through large-scale tree planting. He stressed that healthy land is fundamental not only to environmental well-being but also to regional stability, helping to create stable communities and strong economies by reducing the factors that drive migration.

India’s Comprehensive Approach to Land Degradation

In his address, Yadav outlined India’s commitment to addressing land degradation through a comprehensive approach that enhances drought resilience, restores ecosystems, and promotes biodiversity. He highlighted that India’s initiatives are aligned with the goals of COP16, which focuses on combating desertification and promoting land restoration.

“Our Honourable Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, launched the ‘Plant for Mother’ campaign, which has already seen the planting of over one billion saplings this year,” Yadav stated. He urged all nations and their citizens to join the initiative, describing it as a “unique tribute to Mother Earth” that would significantly contribute to addressing land degradation and climate change.

‘Plant for Mother’ Campaign: A Global Initiative

Launched on World Environment Day, June 5, the ‘Plant for Mother’ campaign aims to plant 140 crore (1.4 billion) trees by March 2025. The initiative encourages people to plant trees as a symbol of love, respect, and honor for their mothers, with the goal of restoring degraded areas and combating climate challenges.

Yadav emphasized that restoring land and building resilience to droughts require active community involvement. The Green India Mission, he noted, follows a “whole of government” and “whole of society” approach, with community participation at its core.

Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

The minister also highlighted the importance of partnerships and knowledge sharing to improve drought preparedness and resilience. He stressed that collaboration between government, industry, and communities is essential to strengthen early warning systems, drought-resilient farming, and sustainable livelihoods.

Earlier in the day, during a ministerial dialogue on finance, Yadav underscored that adequate financing is key to achieving the objectives of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). He pointed to the World Drought Atlas, released on Monday, as a valuable resource to guide the mobilization of financial resources for drought mitigation and land restoration efforts.

India’s Progress on Land Restoration

In his address, Yadav also shared India’s progress on land restoration, noting that the country has already restored 22.5 million hectares of degraded land, with a target of restoring 26 million hectares by 2030.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday praised India’s taxation system, calling it one of the best globally, thanks to its transparency, adherence to the rule of law, and stability in tax policies.

Speaking at an event for officer trainees of the Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Indirect Taxes), Birla emphasized that the country’s robust tax framework had made India an attractive investment destination for businesses and individuals worldwide.

A Stable and Transparent System

Birla noted that India’s tax system, supported by clear and consistent policies, has become a model for other nations. “The stability and transparency of India’s tax policies have played a key role in boosting investor confidence,” he stated, adding that these factors have made India a preferred choice for global investors.

GST and Tax Reforms

During his address, Birla also highlighted the importance of tax reforms, particularly the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which he said had significantly simplified the country’s tax structure. The introduction of GST, alongside other measures, has streamlined taxation processes, making it easier to do business in India.

“The government and Parliament have continually worked towards improving the taxation system, which is why India’s tax framework is now regarded as one of the most transparent and reliable worldwide,” the Lok Sabha Speaker added.

Birla’s remarks came as part of his address to the future leaders of India’s revenue service, underscoring the importance of continued innovation and reform in the taxation sector.