Winter Session: Opposition raises Farooq Abdullah's detention, demands his participation

The detention of Srinagar MP Farooq Abdullah became a crucial talking point at the all-party meeting, called by the government on Sunday. The Opposition firmly raised the confinement of Lok Sabha MP and NC patron, Farooq Abdullah, in his Srinagar residence. NC further demanded his participation in the approaching winter session of the Parliament, in the presence of PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. 

Chairing the meeting, PM Modi had claimed that at the all-party meet, the government was willing to discuss all issues, " within the framework of rules and procedures of the Houses." In a similar response to Farooq Abdullah's detention, Union Minister Prahlad Joshi said, "Within the framework of law we will work it out." 

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During the all-party meet, NC MP Hasnain Masoodi contending Farooq Abdullah's detention since August 05 said that the government is under the obligation of the Constitution to ensure the participation of the Srinagar MP. The NC leader said, "How can a parliamentarian be detained illegally? He should be allowed to attend Parliament."

Besides PM Modi, the all-party meeting was also attended by BJP chief Amit Shah and several senior opposition leaders. The meeting was also attended by Union minister Thawarchand Gehlot, Chowdhury, Azad and deputy leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma. TMC leader Derek O Brien, LJP leader Chirag Paswan and Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav, Telugu Desam Party Jayadev Galla and V Vijaysai Reddy were among those present at the meeting.The meeting was called by the government and moderated by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Meghwal.

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Farooq Abdullah's detention 

The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Farooq Abdullah was booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA) in September. Kashmir sources of Republic Media Network have informed that the Home Ministry detained the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir after declaring his house as a subsidiary jail. While there is no bar on meeting relatives and friends, the Parliamentarian is not allowed to leave his residence. 

As per the PSA provisions, the government could detain a person for up to two years, although, for 'first-time offenders' the length of the detention is limited to six months. However, in the case of "no improvement in the conduct of the detainee," the detention can be extended to its full course of two years. The PSA act was initially promulgated during Sheikh Abdullah, the father of Farooq Abdullah's tenure. 

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