The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm today amidst noisy scenes as the united opposition continuously insisted on its demand for sacking union minister Niranjan Jyoti for her derogatory remarks. The house witnessed several adjournments on the issue despite appeals by Prime Minister, Leader of the House and Parliamentary Affairs Minister to the opposition to take up regular business. They said the matter should be treated as closed since the minister had tendered apology for her comments. Earlier, Mr Narendra Modi said he had disapproved her remarks in the Parliamentary Party meeting before the issue was raised by the opposition. He said the incident is a message for all to maintain decency and decorum in Parliament.

Mr Modi’s appeal came in the backdrop of continued protests by the opposition during the past two days in the Rajya Sabha.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu also requested the members to allow the listed business in view of the Prime Minister’s appeal. He regretted that the proceedings of the house had continuously been disrupted on the issue. Leader of the House Arun Jaitley pleaded with the opposition members to get down to the business as per the Prime Minister’s appeal.
Not satisfied with Mr Modi’s request, the opposition members stuck to their demand for removal of the Minister. Congress deputy leader Anand Sharma reiterated his party’s stand for removal of the minister from the Council of Ministers. Sitaram Yechuri of the CPM said her remarks were an insult to the Constitution and she should be sacked. As the din continued, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien adjourned the House till noon.