New Delhi: Parliament was paralysed on Tuesday
over the detention of Anna Hazare and his supporters, with the
Opposition accusing the government of "murdering" democracy
and likening the situation to Emergency.
BJP, CPI and JD(U) and some others wanted suspension of
Question Hour in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to discuss the
issue in the backdrop of corruption and created pandemonium
when the plea was rejected.
Because of the uproar, which began as soon as the two
Houses met for the day, no business was transacted in
either House.
Rajya Sabha was first adjourned till noon and then for the
day. The Lok Sabha was adjourned till 11.30 AM, then till noon
and finally for the day.
In the Rajya Sabha, Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley
alleged that government was indulging in "murder of democracy"
while senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha said in the Lok Sabha
that "there is Emergency outside Parliament, there is
Emergency inside Parliament."
When the Lok Sabha met for the day, Speaker Meira Kumar
informed the House that suspension of Question Hour notices
had been given by Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj, CPI
leader Gurudas Dasgupta and JD(U) member Sharad Yadav among
others.
They wanted an immediate debate on the detention of Hazare
and on the larger issue of corruption.
The Speaker disallowed the notices for adjournment motion
given by Yogi Adityanath (BJP) and Shailendra Kumar (SP) on
Hazare and some issues related to Uttar Pradesh.
She said there was no provision for suspension of Question
Hour in Lok Sabha, but asked the members making this demand to
"briefly touch upon the subject".
However, when Swaraj rose to speak, Parliamentary Affairs
Minister P K Bansal intervened and said, "My submission is
that the government is prepared for a discussion at 12 (noon).
They make their point and then the House is disrupted..."
He insisted that if Swaraj is allowed to speak, the Home
Minister should also be allowed to make a statement.
Agitated members of BJP, JD(U), CPI-M, CPI, SP and BSP
were on their feet objecting to Bansal`s comments.
Congress members too were on the feet and demanded that
the Question Hour be held.
Sanjay Nirupam (Cong) said his party was objecting to
opposition parties supporting those going against democracy.
The Speaker then adjourned the House till 11:30 am.
When the House re-assembled, similar scenes were witnessed
and the Chair adjourned it till noon.
There was uproar again at noon, with BJP members chanting
that the government was "murderer of democracy" and insisted
that Swaraj be allowed to speak.
Sinha said there was "undeclared emergency" and declared
the House will not be allowed to function till Swaraj spoke.
Swaraj was unhappy for being disallowed to speak even
though Bansal had promised that she could do so at noon.
The Speaker, while disallowing it, said it was a matter
related to the Question Hour.
The BJP members rushed to the well creating pandemonium,
prompting the Chair to adjourn the House for the day.
PTI
