Rajya Sabha erupts over Moga incident, adjourned twice

The death of a 13-year-old girl who was allegedly molested in Punjab’s Moga rocked Parliament on Tuesday as the Opposition asked for a discussion on the issue and demanded President’s Rule in the state.

The Rajya Sabha saw two adjournments with Congress members raising the issue as soon as the upper House met. Party leader Ambika Soni alleged a complete breakdown of law and order in Punjab, necessitating the Centre’s intervention.

Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said it was a “very serious issue as those who are ruling the state are owners of the bus...Police action has been only against those involved in the molestation but owners of the bus have been left out.”

The teenager’s death sparked widespread protests in the state with activists demanding action against the Badal family, who owns the company, Orbit Aviation, to which the bus belonged.

The victim’s family refused to cremate her body for three days, demanding higher compensation and cancellation of permits to all buses belonging to Orbit Aviation.

In the Lok Sabha, Congress disrupted proceedings and caused several adjournments with former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh saying Orbit buses have been involved in similar cases before. “Law and order situation in Punjab is bleak,” Singh said. Other parties in the Rajya Sabha, including the Left, joined in the protest with Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati demanding central rule. “Life and property of women in Punjab is in danger... President’s rule should be imposed,” she said.

Four people have been arrested in the case where a girl and her mother were allegedly pushed off a bus after being subjected to indecent gestures and comments after an altercation over ticket pricing.