Rajya Sabha has been witnessing frequent adjournments over the past few days over Union Minister VK Singh's alleged 'dog' remarks.
The Rajya Sabha today witnessed two adjournments before noon after Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) launched a vociferous protest over Union minister General (Retired) VK Singh's alleged anti-Dalit remarks. The Samajwadi Party (SP) created ruckus over Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat's reported comments on Ram temple in Ayodhya.
No sooner did the House met and mourned the death of former member M.A.M. Ramaswamy and the listed papers laid, BSP chief Mayawati rose to say that the government's attitude over Singh's comments was "very sad and unfortunate".
As Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien disallowed her and asked her to give a notice for making a statement, her party members rushed into the Well raising anti-government slogans.
Not to be left behind, SP lawmaker Naresh Agarwal raised the issue of reported statement of Mr Bhagwat over the construction of the temple.
Mr Kurien did not allow this as well and asked them to make mentions during the Zero Hour. "Please give notice. This is against rules. You cannot make a statement without notice," he said.
Immediately thereafter, SP members rushed into the Well of the House raising slogans.
Ms Mayawati alleged that social and communal atmosphere in the country has deteriorated since BJP came to power, as the government instead of taking action against the rabble-rousers was indulging in soft-peddling such issues.
"Dalit virodhi yeh sarkar nahi chalegi, nahi chalegi (anti-Dalit government will not be allowed)", "VK Singh murdabad (down with VK Singh)", the BSP members shouted.
With members of the two parties not listening to his pleas for order, Mr Kurien adjourned the House for 15 minutes.
Similar scenes were witnessed when the House met at 11:30 hours with slogan-shouting BSP members again trooping into the Well.
Ram Gopal Yadav (SP) said while the issue of Ram Temple at Ayodhya was pending in courts, a communally tense situation was being created by Mr Bhagwat's statement.
To this, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the government respected court's decision on the Ayodhya issue, but people have "fundamental right" to reiterate commitment for construction of a temple. However, he added the construction would be according to the court's decision.
On Gen Singh's reported remarks, Mr Naqvi also stated that the Minister has repeatedly clarified that he had not made any anti-Dalit comment.
But he could not douse the sloganeering as some Congress members also rushed to the Well, forcing Mr Kurien to adjourn the proceedings till 12 noon.