New Delhi: Amid paper snatching and vociferous protest by Tamil members, the Rajya Sabha on Friday adjourned for a month after AIADMK and DMK members obstructed House proceedings over the human rights abuses on Sri Lankan Tamils bringing the session to an abrupt halt.
In a dramatic and charged atmosphere on the last day of the Budget session before a month-long break, agitated Tamil members raised placards and then attempted to prevent proceedings by shouting from the well of the House.
Even External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid’s statement on the return of the two Italain marines to India was drowned in the clamour raised by the Tamil MPs.
While Renuka Chowdhury, who was in the Chair, appeared determined to finish the House business before the month-long break, eight Tamil MPs were equally determined to obstruct it.
As Parshottam Khodabhai Rupala, BJP, rose to move his private member’s bill, V Maitreyan, AIADMK, rushed to the member’s seat and displayed his placard inviting the Chair’s stern disapproval.
The members entered the well displaying placards. Marshals attempted to save the Chair’s stand from the wrath of the members who seemed determined not to relent and allow the business to proceed.
Matters soon took a turn for the worse when some of the eight MPs snatched first Ms Chowdhury’s papers and then made a grab for the microphone stand, breaking it in the process. This invited a sharp invective from the Chair who adjourned the House till April 22.
However, the issue did not settle down with DMK MPs Tiruchi Siva, T M Selvaganapathi and Vasanthi Stanley taking strong exception to Ms Chowdhury’s behaviour.
In the end, Union Ministers Jairam Ramesh and R P N Singh along with Ravi Shankar Prasad, BJP, attempted to cool down the tempers of the Tamil MPs who were deeply offended over the remark passed by Ms Chowdhury. (UNI)
