NEW DELHI: In a surprising development, Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi has categorically denied signing any document related to the question on Hamas during Parliamentโs Question and Answer session. Subsequently, an inquiry has been initiated to investigate the matter.
The revelation follows the presentation of a document containing Lekhiโs name, offering a response to the parliamentary inquiry concerning Hamas. The document was posted on the microblogging site, X. The question revolves around the potential declaration of Hamas as a terrorist organisation in India and whether the Israeli government had urged India to make such a designation posed by Congress MP Kumbakudi Sudhakaran from Kerala.
View The Document Here:
However, on Saturday, Meenakshi Lekhi took to X to refute the allegations, stating, โYou have been misinformed as I have not signed any paper with this question and this answer @DrSJaishankar @PMOIndia.โ In a separate post, Lekhi said, โan inquiry would reveal the culprit.โ
Therefore, this denial raises questions about the accuracy of the official document posted on the Ministry of External Affairs website.
On Friday, S Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister, addressed the Lok Sabha, expressing Indiaโs ongoing concern about the escalating security situation resulting from the conflict between Hamas and Israel. He urged โrestraint and de-escalationโ while underlining the need for a peaceful resolution through โdialogue and diplomacy.โ
Nonetheless, Meenakshi Lekhi did not provide a direct response when questioned about whether India intends to designate Hamas as a terrorist organisation, as requested by Israel.
FLASH: A Parliament document has come to light that states Unstarred question no 980 by Congress MP from Kerala Kumbakudi Sudhakaran. This question was on declaration of Hamas as terrorist organisation with a question.
To this an answer is stated attributing to Union MoSโฆ pic.twitter.com/gY5kjMbJoV
โ The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) December 9, 2023
โDesignation of an organisation as a terrorist is covered under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, and declaring any organisation as terrorist is considered as per the provisions of the Act by the relevant government departments,โ she stated.
For the unversed, on October 7, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had labelled the attack on Israel by Hamas a โterrorist attack,โ expressing solidarity with Israel. This sentiment was reiterated in a subsequent phone call with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.
