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Rajya Sabha criticises US's expulsion of Indian scientists

The Rajya Sabha today condemned the action of the United States in expelling Indian scientists.

Raising the issue through a special mention, John F Fernandes (Congress) took strong exception to the US action in denying a visa to Atomic Energy Commission chairman Dr R Chidambaram.

He said the United Nations headquarters should be shifted out of the United States and be located in either Africa or India. He said this was necessary since the United States has the authority of issuing visas to those desirous of visiting the United Nations.

Professor Vijay Kumar Malhotra (BJP) said asking Indian scientists to quit was blackmail and constituted bullying by the US government.

Narendra Mohan (BJP) said the US action amounted to violation of various international conventions.

Kapil Sibal (Congress) said the US action was in violation of the charter of another UN body -- the UNESCO -- which provided for exchange of scientists among the member nations.

Since several other members wanted to associate themselves with the subject, Adhik Shirodkar, who was in the chair, said the whole House associated itself with the matter.

UNI

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