New Delhi: The first working day of the budget session in Rajya Sabha started on a stormy note as the House faced repeated adjournments over the suicide of Dalit student Rohith Vemula, with slogan-shouting BSP members led by Mayawati trooping into the Well several times seeking resignation of some Union Ministers.
An exasperated Chairman Hamid Ansari remarked that disruption of Question Hour was “violation of privilege of individual members” and asked the agitating members “not to trample” over the privilege of their colleagues.
Amid sloganeering by BSP, HRD Minister Smriti Irani said the opposition was using a “dead child” (Rohith) as “a political tool and strategy” and asked the opposition to start discussion on the issue “right now”.
BSP members forced five adjournments in the pre-lunch session raising slogans that the “anti-Dalit, anti-Ambedkar” government will not be allowed to run, even as party chief Mayawati dubbed the incident an “insult to 25 crore Dalits” in the country. She also wanted the government’s response over her demand for the resignation of two union ministers allegedly linked to the suicide.
A visibly upset Ansari, who went the extra mile to hold an all party meeting days before start of the session to ensure smooth functioning, said, “Disruption of House is the violation of the privilege of individual members of the House. Do not trample the privilege your colleagues.”
Members from treasury benches welcomed Ansari’s remarks. The Chairman asked Mayawati to follow procedures, arguing that her party members can raise the issue any other time during the day. He also held an informal meeting with leaders of parties in his chamber after the House was adjourned for the third time.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said if Question Hour was not being allowed, the legislative business should be taken up as otherwise it will not send a right message. He said a response can be given only if a thorough debate is allowed in which everybody gets a chance to participate.
As eight of the BSP members continued shouting slogans from the Well of the House, an apparently irked Ansari said, “you had enough. Please sit down. Take care of your health.”
However, his pleas remained unheeded.
