Attacks on Dalits: Opposition unites to stall Rajya Sabha

Opposition led by Congress on Wednesday forced adjournments of the Rajya Sabha over attacks on Dalits in Gujarat.

Main opposition Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party and the Trinamool Congress competed with each other in trying to raise the issue more vociferously, throwing the House into a pandemonium and forcing multiple adjournments.

No sooner the listed papers were laid, Derek O'Brien (TMC) was up on his feet raising the issue. "Dalits are being oppressed in Gujarat but it is not being discussed here," he said as other members joined in.

"This is an organised crime that is happening in Gujarat ... this issue should be taken up," he said referring to the stripping and assault on some Dalit men in Gujarat allegedly by members of a local cow vigilante group.

By this time, Congress and BSP members too were on their feet with Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad seeking permission to speak.

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien allowed him but Mayawati (BSP) appeared eager to speak before him saying she wanted to raise a 'point-of-order'.

Congress members asked under what rule does she want to raise point of order as they rushed into the well shouting slogans against the government. They contended that Azad should speak first.

Kurien pleaded with them to return to their seats and let Mayawati, who "is our sister", be allowed to raise her point of order first.

But as none relented, he was forced to adjourn the House for 10 minutes.

When the House met after the brief break, Congress members rushed into the well shouting slogans like "Dalit Virodhi yeh sarkar nahi chalegi, nahi chalegi (this anti-dalit government will not be tolerated)."

BSP members followed suit and matched Congress members in slogan shouting.

In the melee, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot got up to make a statement but his submission could not be heard in the din.

Nevertheless, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi prodded him to continue speaking and make his statement.

In the din, Gehlot could only be heard as saying that the state government had taken prompt action over the incident and arrested the accused persons. An inquiry has been ordered and strict action would be taken against those found guilty, he added.

Kurien asked the agitating members to allow the minister to speak but as his pleas when unheeded, he again adjourned the House till Noon.

When the House re-assembled at noon to take up the Question Hour, slogan shouting Congress members again trooped in the Well.

Chairman Hamid Ansari tried to pacify the agitated members, but to no avail.

Other opposition parties MP including Mayawati and Naresh Agrawal (SP) were seen standing at their places.

As the slogan shouting members in the Well did not budge, Ansari adjourned the House for 30 minutes.

Congress members were again in the Well when the Rajya Sabha reconvened.

Several Congress members along with those from some parties trooped into the Well shouting slogans against the BJP and the central government over the alleged atrocities against Dalits in Gujarat.

BSP chief Mayawati, SP leaders Ram Gopal Yadav and Naresh Agarwal also were seen standing at their seats, as also Anand Sharma and Ambika Soni of the Congress.

Amidst the din, Chairman M Hamid Ansari tried to initiate the proceedings but as the ruckus continued, he adjourned the House till 2pm.

When the House met at 2pm, Congress members, along with some from TMC, were in the well raising anti-government slogans, terming the government as "anti-dalit" and demanding the resignation of the prime minister.

The House was adjourned twice within an hour due to the uproarious scenes. Deputy Chairman P J Kurien first adjourned till 2:30pm and then again till 3pm.

Slogans like Dalit virodhi ye sarkar, nahin chalegi (this anti-Dalit government will not work) and Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi kursi chhodo (Quit your chair, Narendra Modi) rent the air.

In the din, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the Business Advisory Committee of the House has decided to hold a short duration discussion on Dalit issues at 2pm on Thursday and members should participate.

He later said the government was ready for a discussion on the issue immediately and the members should participate in it and then take up the Compulsory Afforestation Bill, listed in Wednesday's agenda.

Naqvi also accused Congress members of obstructing the important bill that proposes to provide compensation to forest dwellers, poor and tribals.

Kurien said "BAC has agreed for a discussion on Dalit issues. Government is ready to discuss this issue right now. Inspite of that, there is no justification in coming to the Well and shouting."

He said the "House is for discussion and not for shouting. Please go back to your seats," but the members did not relent.

Responding to the slogan shouting by Congress against Modi, Naqvi said "he has become the Prime Minister as people of the country have elected him. You are insulting the public mandate. He has not become the Prime Minister due to your benevolence. He is working honestly and with utmost concern towards issues of Dalits and the poor".