Opposition members in the Rajya Sabha today forced repeated adjournments on the religious conversions issue. The House witnessed four adjournments in the pre-lunch session amid allegations and counter allegations between the opposition and treasury benches. As the House met after its second adjournment at noon, Naresh Agarwal of the Samajwadi Party complained that BJP Ministers and MPs continued to make provocative statements outside Parliament despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assurance to the contrary. Chairman Mohammed Hamid Ansari’s repeated pleas for calm went unheeded. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi reiterated that the government is ready for a discussion. Anand Sharma of the Congress made in vain to raise the issue but it was strongly protested by BJP members. Responding to this, Mr Sharma said that the government is not in favour of the smooth functioning of the House. As the din continued, the Chairman adjourned the House till 2 pm.

Earlier, opposition members trooped into the well as the House met for the day. They shouted slogans against the government saying the BJP leaders are making provocative statements leading to communal passions. This is for the second day today that the House has been witnessing noisy scenes on the issue. When the House re-assembled at 11.25 hours, there was no change in the situation. Before adjourning the House, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien tried to calm the agitating members saying the House is meant for discussion and not for shouting slogans. He also expressed concern on what he called unruly behaviour of the opposition members.