New Delhi: Rajya Sabha proceedings today have been adjourned till 2 pm after the entire opposition vociferously protested over the issue of communal violence in the national capital, with members alleging that the government slept while Delhi burnt.
Opposition MPs including those belonging to the Congress, Left, TMC, SP, BSP and DMK were up on their feet shouting slogans and accused the government of failing in its duty.
Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said the issue was definitely important but the priority should be to restore normalcy and then discuss ways and means of preventing it.When his appeals to members to resume their places went unheeded, he adjourned proceedings till 2 pm.
Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad charged that the Central government “slept” when violence rocked Delhi for three days.While members shouted slogans such as ‘Delhi is Burning’, three TMC members sported black bands on their eyes. Naidu ordered them to remove them as sporting badges is not allowed inside the House.The members complied, but the vociferous protests continued, forcing the adjournment.
Earlier, when the House met it mourned the death of former member A V Swamy.Naidu said he has received notices from members of opposition parties seeking adjournment of proceedings to discuss the present situation in Delhi and other parts of the country.
“The matter is definitely important and deserves to be discussed,” he said. He added that he will admit a discussion and allot time after discussing with the minister concerned as well as the Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition.
Lok Sabha pays homage to sitting member
Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned today till 2 pm as a mark of respect for a sitting member, who passed away last month.JD(U) member Baidyanath Prasad Mahto, who was elected from Valmiki Nagar in Bihar, died on 28 February.
Once the House convened, Speaker Om Birla expressed condolences over Mahto’s death and adjourned the House till 2 pm.
AAP member Bhagwant Mann sought to raise the issue of riots in Delhi and was also holding a placard.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, among others, were present in the House.