Opposition members today forced repeated adjournment of the Rajya Sabha on the religious conversions issue. The House witnessed three adjournments in the pre-lunch session, first for 40 minutes, then for ten minutes and later till 2 PM. The opposition members, led by Congress has been demanding suspension of the Question Hour to take up the issue of religious conversions.
Anand Sharma of the Congress and Sharad Yadav of JD(U) and Sitaram Yechury of the CPIM argued that discussion on the issue is more important in the interest of the country than the question hour. Mr Yadav said such situations can create anarchy in the country.
Responding to this, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the government is committed for the unity of the people and peace in the country. He said the government is ready for a discussion if the Chairman Mohammed Hamid Ansari allows. Mr Ansari asked the members to give notice for a discussion but not for suspension of question hour.
Earlier, as soon as the House met for the day, AIADMK members trooped into the well protesting against a question in Railway recruitment Board examination which they described as highly objectionable. Responding to this Leader of the House Arun Jaitley assured the agitating members that the matter will be examined by Railway Minister.
During Zero Hour mentions, Derek O Brien of the Trinamool Congress alleged that BJP President is writing script for CBI and agency is being used for political vendetta. To this, Mr Jaitley observed that no political leader is involved in the functioning of the CBI. He said the working of the agency is monitored directly by Supreme Court and the government has nothing do with it.
Meanwhile, Opposition parties today said they will not allow the Rajya Sabha to function until government agrees for a discussion on the issue of religious conversion. Talking to reporters outside Parliament, CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury said that the parties have conveyed their decision to Chairman Md. Hamid Ansari. He said the House will only be allowed to transact business when Prime Minister assures the Upper House that conversion incidents will not take place in future and BJP MPs will not make communal remarks.
Mr. Yechury said despite Narendra Modi’s assurance to Parliament BJP MPs are still continuing with provocative statements. He alleged that BJP leaders are trying to destroy the secular fabric of the country. Meanwhile Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkiah Naidu appealed to opposition parties to allow the Rajya Sabha to function. He told reporters that he has informed the Chairman that the government is ready to discuss all issues including religious conversions.
