Conversions rock RS for second day

Girja Shankar Kaura/Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 16

The Rajya Sabha failed to transact any business for the second consecutive day today as a united Opposition persisted with its demand for a reply from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue of conversions and the government’s move to hold events in schools on Christmas holiday.

The Opposition forced five adjournments on the issue. When the Rajya Sabha met again at 2.30 pm, Opposition parties trooped into the well, raising slogans and demanding the presence of the Prime Minister, the House was adjourned for the day. Barring the Tamil Nadu parties, the entire Opposition stood united with the Congress, Left and the TMC which took the lead to corner the government.

In the post-lunch session, Leader of the House Arun Jaitley lashed out at Opposition members saying that “the issue is you want anarchy and not discussion”. This made the matters worse with Opposition members trooping into the Well and raising slogans, forcing the first post-lunch adjournment till 2.30pm.

As soon as the House met for the day, CPM’s Sitaram Yechury said the government had yesterday stated that there was no order asking schools to remain open on Christmas Day for an essay competition on ‘Good Governance’ to mark former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s birthday. He said he had a copy of the circular issued to schools and wanted it to be placed on the table of the House. Soon after papers were laid, the opposition MPs started raising slogans against the government.

Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader Sharad Yadav said: “There are repeated incidents. No action is being taken by the government, and you are asking us to just discuss it.” Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi accused the Opposition of “running away from discussion”. “Those who don’t want to discuss can just leave,” said Naqvi as he repeatedly said the government was ready to take up the debate.

“You are insulting the mandate of the people... they want disruption, not discussion,” added Naqvi. Soon Congress, SP, BSP, JD-U and TMC members joined in raising slogans “Dharam Ka Sauda Band Karo (Stop Selling Religion)” and demanding a reply from the Prime Minister.