Uproar continued to prevail in the pre-lunch session of the Rajya Sabha making it difficult for the House to take up a discussion on communal situation in the country amidst arguments and counter arguments. This is for the fourth day today, the standoff on demand for Prime Minister’s presence in the House led to washout of the proceedings.

Prime Minister was present in the House during the question hour when the matter cropped up again. When the House re-assembled after two adjournments at 1215 hours, Leader of the House Arun Jaitley said the government is ready for a discussion and it should begin right now. However, he said the government will not accept the way the opposition wants to decide the course of discussion. Chairman Mohammed Hamid Ansari said there is a broad consensus for taking up the discussion and asked Anand Sharma of the Congress to initiate.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu repeatedly said that the discussion should begin and Home Minister will reply to the discussion. This was strongly opposed by members belonging to Congress, Left parties, Trinamool Congress, JD(U) and BSP. The House witnessed heated exchanges between the treasury and opposition benches accusing each other, forcing the adjournment of the House till 2 PM.