The Rajya Sabha continued to remain deadlocked for the fifth day today on the issue of discussion on the threats to country’s secular fabric due to religious conversions. It had to be adjourned twice till 2.30 PM in the pre-lunch session on the opposition’s repeated demand that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be present in the House to reply during the discussion.
When the House re-assembled at noon, opposition again raised the same issue. Anand Sharma of the Congress said the opposition’s request for Prime Minister’s presence in the House was contemptuously and arrogantly rejected by the government.
Taking serious exception to the demand, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukthar Abbas Naqvi said it is not for the opposition to decide who will reply to the discussion. He said government is not run at the mercy of the opposition but because of the people’s mandate.
Derek O Brien of the Trinamool Congress asked the Chair that when opposition wants a discussion, why the Prime Minister is shying away. To this, Chairman Mohammed Hamid Ansari observed that there is no rule which mandates the presence of the Prime Minister during the debate.
Before adjourning the House till 2.30 PM, he said he is adjourning the House as it is not able to take up the question hour. Earlier, as soon as the House assembled for the day, Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad justified the demand and said Prime Minister’s presence during the discussion is necessary because he represents the country’s multi-religious and composite culture. To this, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukthar Abbas Naqvi appealed to Mr Azad to initiate the discussion as the government is ready to reply on any issue. Responding to this, Mr Azad said that he will start discussion, let the Prime Minister come to the House.
Later, opposition members trooped into the well in support of their demand. They also raised slogans forcing Deputy Chairman P J Kurien to adjourn the House till noon.
