The Rajya Sabha on Friday expressed concern over the killing of Indian writer Sushmita Banerjee in Afghanistan, allegedly by Taliban militants, with Trinamool Congress member Kunal Kumar Ghosh terming it a “cold blooded murder”.
Raising the matter during zero hour, Mr. Ghosh said Ms. Banerjee was involved in social work and was prevented by the Taliban from doing her work. “I salute her,” he said, demanding that the government convey the sentiments of the House to its Afghan counterpart.
D. Raja (CPI), Rama Chandra Khuntia (Congress), Najma Heptulla (BJP) and Naresh Agarwal (SP) also associated themselves with the issue.
“It was a very unfortunate incident,” said Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien, while Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajeev Shukla said the External Affairs Minister was seized of the matter.