New Delhi: Vociferous protests by Opposition benches demanding an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his statements outside Parliament, led to the stalling of Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha on Friday.
As Chairman Hamid Ansari called for the first question of the day at noon, Opposition Congress, TMC, SP and BSP members created ruckus in the Upper House as they kept shouting slogans demanding Modi’s presence and an apology from him. Ansari told protesting members to maintain order in the House and urged them not to “trample on the rights of members asking starred questions.”
But unrelenting members intensified shouting slogans — “Pradhan Mantri Maafi Maango (PM should apologise), Rona Dhona Bandh Karo, Pradhan Mantri House mein aao (Stop crying, Prime Minister come to House).
The BJP members were on their feet to counter the Opposition and shouted “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” slogans. Observing that “this is unfair”, Ansari said “Why aren’t you doing slogan shouting in the streets. This is not the place to shout.” The Chair’s pleas to maintain order went unheeded and the House was adjourned till 1430 hours.
PTI