Parliament adjourned till Monday amid uproar over 'rashtrapatni' issue

Vibha Sharma

New Delhi, July 29

Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned on Friday amid slogan-shouting from opposition as well as treasury benches on the issue related to Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury’s “rashtrapatni” remark and what followed thereafter in the Lower House.

The all-out attack by Smriti Irani against Congress president Sonia Gandhi in the Lok Sabha on Thursday resulted in party MPs demanding an apology from the BJP minister.

The Houses were adjourned within minutes of commencement of the proceedings.

As soon as the Lok Sabha met at 11am, Congress MPs along with a few other opposition members came to the Well of the House shouting slogans against the government. BJP women members, who were standing in the second row of the treasury benches, also stood up and raised counter-slogans.

After the House re-assembled at noon, similar scenes were witnessed, with most members on both sides up on their feet. Within minutes, the House was adjourned till Monday.

Earlier, some BJP MPs said Parliament would function only after Gandhi apologised for Chowdhury’s remark against the President.

Chowdhury, who accused Irani and BJP MPs of “unnecessarily draging” Gandhi into the issue, said he had sought time from President Droupadi Murmu and would apologise to her.

He also targeted Irani for repeatedly referring to President Murmu as “Droupadi Murmu”. 

“What is this? Calling a woman tribal President Droupadi Murmu again and again? Shouldn’t she be referred as the Rashtrapati ji,” Chowdhury said attacking Irani.

Several opposition members condemned the BJP for creating a “new tamasha” and “creating ill-will between members”.