Rajya Sabha adjourned sine die

New Delhi, December 23

The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday adjourned sine die without it being able to take up several important legislations and losing hours of business to protests over conversion and other issues.

The protests continued in the upper house on the last day of the session, forcing two adjournments in the first half.

Opposition members have been demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over conversions and communal remarks by some BJP leaders.

On the last day of the session, the upper house, however, passed a key legislation to extend deadline for unauthorised colonies in Delhi.

On Tuesday morning, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad once again stressed the need for Prime Minister Modi to speak on the conversion issue, while Samajwadi Party (SP) members alleged that those who came to attend their rally were not allowed to enter Delhi.

"This issue (reconversion) has reached out of the borders of India. Other countries are talking about what is happening in India. Our demand is not just for our political parties, we represent the composite culture of India, the common man. There is frustration among the people over what is happening," said Azad.

He added: "The PM is my PM as well. He is PM of people of all religions. He needs to assure the country even if his party colleagues try to hurt people, action will be taken. He needs to assure he will not allow any statement which disturbs peace and communal harmony." SP leader Naresh Agarwal, meanwhile, said those who came to attend the Janata Parivar rally at Jantar Mantar Monday were not allowed to enter Delhi.

"People had come from all across the country, they were not allowed to enter Delhi. The Janata Parivar is a strong alternative; so the government tried to stop the opposition by using police power," Agarwal said.

IANS