Picture : Twitter / ANI
The Delhi riots that saw as many as 47 people losing their lives rocked the Lok Sabha for the second consecutive day. Lok Sabha proceedings were disrupted as the Bharatiya Janata Party and Opposition members tried to shove each other amid unrelenting demands for an immediate discussion on the Delhi violence.
After Speaker Om Birla said the discussion would take place on March 11 after Holi festival, opposition members stormed into the Well demanding an immediate discussion.
As tempers in the House rose, Birla warned that members from both opposition and treasury benches, who cross over to the other side during uproar would be suspended for the entire session.
However, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury walked over to the side of the Well facing the Treasury benches, which led to a commotion between the BJP and opposition members.
Other opposition party members too followed Chowdhury towards the Treasury Benches and a commotion broke out as BJP members blocked their way.
BJP MP from West Bengal Locket Chatterjee was seen having heated arguments with Chowdhury, and Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad tried to pacify them.
Amid the din in which BJP and Congress members tried to shove each other and some members banged the door leading to the secretary general’s desk, Birla adjourned the House for the day.
After the adjournment, Union Minister Smriti Irani was seen engaged in a heated argument with opposition members over the banging of the door as other BJP member sought to pacify her.
Earlier in the day, opposition members’ vociferous demand for immediate discussion on the issue of Delhi violence led to the speaker adjourning the House twice.
As the House met at 2 pm, Birla said he has spoken to members from the treasury benches as well as the opposition and they have agreed to accept what the speaker decides.
“We are working for the benefit of the country. Keeping in mind the situation in the country, celebrate Holi festival in peace and harmony … Government is ready to discuss the issue after Holi on March 11,” Birla said.
