Parliament washed out for the day following protests

The Rajya Sabha on Thursday was adjourned for the day without transacting any business following protests by Tamil Nadu parties inside the well over the Cauvery river issue.

No sooner had the House paid its respects to the nine persons who laid down their lives 17 years back when terrorist attacked the Parliament House complex and the listed papers presented, members belonging to the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam trooped into the well of the House shouting slogans.

“Protect the Right of Tamil Nadu,” read the placards held by protesting members.

A couple of members from Andhra Pradesh too were in the well demanding special status for the state.

Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu warned that he would be forced to adjourn the proceedings for the day if members did not return to their seats and allow the House to function.

“I would like to urge members to at least allow the House today... Nine persons had laid down their lives to protect Parliament. Wrong message will go,” he said.

He said discussion on all issues including on Cauvery river issue will be allowed.

“We have paid tribute to nine persons who gave their lives to protect Parliament... I don’t want these scenes to be seen,” he said.

As his repeated pleas to members to allow the House to function fell on deaf years, he adjourned the proceedings till Friday.

Earlier, when the House met for the day, Naidu mentioned that Thursday was the 17th anniversary of the dastardly terrorist attack on Parliament.

Condemning the incident, he said let us resolve to fight terrorism in all its forms.

“Let us remember the supreme sacrifice of brave hearts who laid down their lives to protect the temple of democracy,” he said.

Members stood in silence as a mark of respect to those killed in the attack.

Lok Sabha adjourned for the day after repeated disruptions 

The Lok Sabha was on Thursday adjourned for the day following protests by opposition parties over various issues, including alleged corruption in the Rafale deal and Cauvery river water.

Besides opposition members, ruling Bharatiy Janata Party’s ally Shiv Sena also held protests in the House demanding law for construction of RamTemple in Ayodhya. 

Speaking in the House, party leader Anandrao Adsul said the BJP got full majority but “forgot” Hindutava, which was the main reason for the alliance between the two parties. 

BJP’s Meenakshi Lekhi raised the issue of rape of women by their acquaintances and demanded speedy trial in these cases.

Only Adsul and Lekhi got an opportunity to speak in the House which saw members of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Telugu Desam Party and Congress raise slogans in support of their demands. 

As the protests continued, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan asked members to allow the House to function but in vain. 

The House was then adjourned for the day. 

Earlier as soon as the Question Hour began after paying tributes to martyrs of the 2001 Parliament attack, members from the Congress, TDP and AIADMK rushed to the Well raising slogans, following which the Speaker adjourned the House. 

TDP member Venkateshwara Rao (Babu) used a mike installed in the Well for the oath of a new member to prop up a poster seeking special status for Andhra Pradesh. 

A Lok Sabha secretariat staffer tried to convince him not to use the mike. 

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Narendra Singh Tomar too tried to convince him to keep down the mike. 

The TDP member’s action invited the ire of Speaker Sumitra Mahajan who warned him that he will be named. 

Once a member is named, he or she has to leave the House chamber. 

The Speaker then adjourned the House for nearly 10 minutes till 11.20 am. 

When the House assembled again, Mahajan reminded members that they can raise issues under various rules. 

Apparently referring to the Lok Sabha polls due in 2019, she said it was a “crucial time” and members should use it to raise issues related to the public.

She said Lok Sabha is for all states and regions and all should get a chance to raise their respective issues. 

But opposition members remained unconvinced and returned to the Well. 

As the bedlam continued, the House was adjourned for nearly 30 minutes till noon.