Protests over Rafale deal, construction of Ram Mandir wash out Parliament

The Lok Sabha was on Wednesday adjourned for the day following protests by opposition members on various issues including the Rafale deal, construction of Ram Temple and Cauvery river water.

Immediately after the House re-convened at noon, Congress, Shiv Sena, Telugu Desam Party and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam members trooped into the well with placards and started shouting slogans in support of their demands.

Similar scenes were earlier witnessed when Question Hour began after obituary references to 11 former MPs.

Congress members were demanding a probe by a Joint Parliamentary Committee into the alleged corruption in the Rafale aircraft deal while Shiv Sena MPs staged protests demanding the immediate construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Members belonging to the AIADMK raised slogans demanding justice for Tamil Nadu farmers living along the Cauvery delta and TDP members demanded a railway zone at Vishkhapatnam.

Speaker Sumitra Mahajan tried to pacify members but in vain.

As the ruckus continued, the Speaker adjourned the House for the day.

Earlier, the Speaker congratulated Rajya Sabha member Marry Kom, who won her sixth gold medal at the World Boxing Championship, and Sonia Chahal for winning a silver medal.

“I congratulate both on behalf of the House,” she said.

The Speaker also congratulated Indian Space Research Organisation for successfully launching the heaviest satellite recently from French Guiana.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge were among those present in the House. 

Rajya Sabha

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day on Wednesday following noisy protests by AIADMK and YSR Congress members demanding protection of Cauvery Delta farmers and special status for Andhra Pradesh.

Amid the protests which continued after the House reconvened at 2 pm post two adjournments, the Upper House passed the National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities (Amendment) Bill, 2018 after a brief discussion.

The proposed amendments entail fixing the term of the Chairperson of the National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism and other Disabilities.

Moving the bill for consideration and passage, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawarchand Gehlot said a chairperson could not be appointed even after several attempts since 2012 as a suitable candidate meeting the stringent selection criteria could not be found.

Gehlot said the amendments will ease the procedure related to appointment of a chairperson.

“The chairperson will have a three-year term now and the selection process for his successor will be initiated six months before his tenure ends and completed before he retires,” said the minister.

With the protests continuing, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said let there be an agreement that action will be taken against those who come to the Well.

“Anybody coming to the Well, action will be taken instantly,” Naidu said.

As the protests continued, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Goel said: “This Bill is for the disabled and there is a consensus among all parties. I am requesting all parties to pass it.”

The Bill was passed in the Upper House shortly before the House adjourned for the day.