New Delhi: The BJP and BSP on Monday disrupted proceedings in the Rajya Sabha demanding inclusion of life of freedom fighter Rani Avantika Bai in the school curriculum
leading to two adjournments.
The Upper House was first adjourned for 15 minutes as BJP joined the protest by BSP members, who said the government had rejected their demand in this regard.
Rani Avantika Bai was a Lodhi warrior-queen in the princely state of Ramgarh, now in Madhya Pradesh. She had fought against Britishers in 1857 and sacrificed her life.
Trouble began after Ganga Charan (BSP) said during Zero Hour that in reply to his question earlier this month the government had expressed inability to include the life of Rani
Avantika Bai in the school syllabus.
He said government`s explanation was that school students were already overburdened. Joined by his party colleagues and BJP members, he asked how freedom fighters can become burden.
Even while Deputy Chairman A Rahman Khan asked for order, the BSP members trooped into the well. Khan adjourned the House for 15 minutes.
When it re-assembled, some BJP members again trooped into the well as their Deputy Leader SS Ahluwalia demanded that HRD Minister Kapil Sibal should be immediately called.
BJP members resorted to slogan shouting, "Insult to freedom fighters will not be tolerated."
Both Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Shukla and Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal said they would convey the sentiments of the agitated members to the HRD
Minister. But it did not satisfy the Opposition and BSP.
Khan said there was a translation mistake in the reply and it would be corrected. However, BSP and BJP insisted on a specific commitment from the government on their demand. Amid din, Khan adjourned the House till 2 pm.
PTI
