Technical correction needed: MEA clarifies minister’s response on Hamas question in Parliament

New Delhi: In a recent parliamentary development, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has acknowledged the necessity for a technical correction regarding the response to a question about Hamas in the Lok Sabha. The clarification ensures accurate attribution, stating that it was Union Minister V Muraleedharan, not Meenakshi Lekhi, who addressed the Parliament’s inquiry on whether India intends to designate Hamas as a terrorist group.

What was the misattribution?

The confusion arose when a document indicated Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi as the respondent to questions about India’s stance on declaring Hamas a terror organization. Both Lekhi and Muraleedharan hold ministerial roles in the Ministry of External Affairs.

Meenakshi Lekhi’s denial

Reacting to the document, Minister Meenakshi Lekhi took to her official platform to disavow any association with the response. She directly addressed Union Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and the Prime Minister’s Office, stating, “You have been misinformed, as I have not signed any paper with this question and this answer.”

MEA acknowledges the oversight

Following Lekhi’s denial, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi issued a statement recognizing the need for a correction. Bagchi mentioned, “We have noted that Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 980 answered on 8 December 2023 needs a technical correction in terms of reflecting Shri V Muraleedharan as the Minister of State replying to the Parliament Question. This is being suitably undertaken.”

What is the question at hand?

The question, posed by Congress MP Kumbakudi Sudhakaran, revolves around the potential designation of Hamas as a terrorist organization in India. It seeks clarity on whether there is a proposal from the central government in this regard and if the Israeli government has made any such requests.

Understanding the legal framework

The response to the question underscores that designating an organization as a terrorist entity falls under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. It emphasizes that such decisions are made in accordance with the provisions of the Act by the relevant government departments.

Despite the initial confusion, the MEA’s proactive approach in rectifying the attribution ensures transparency in parliamentary proceedings.