New Delhi:
Demanding a discussion on the ongoing violence in West Bank and Gaza, Congress-led Opposition created uproar in the Rajya Sabha today leading to repeated adjournments.
As soon as the House met for the day, Chairman Hamid Ansari said though the matter was included in the agenda yesterday, it has not been taken up today following a request from Leader of the House Arun Jaitley. This infuriated members of the Congress and other parties in the Opposition.
Quoting rules, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma insisted that once a matter has been included in the list of business, it becomes the property of the House and must be listed the very next day.
Sitaram Yechury of the (CPI-M) also supported Mr Sharma saying dropping the issue from the agenda would amount to violation of the Constitution.
He said though a communication has been received from Jaitley for having the discussion on another date, the reason for it has not been given.
Sharad Yadav of the JD(U) said many Indians earn their livelihood in West Asia and thus, the matter concerned many people here.
Members also wanted to know why the discussion on the issue was being delayed, particularly after the violence was condemned by BRICS leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj yesterday sent a letter to the Chairman requesting him to withdraw the issue from the day's agenda. Shortly before the discussion was to begin, she informed the House that, "We have diplomatic ties with both nations. Any discourteous reference to any friendly country can impact our relations with them."
In his ruling today, Mr Ansari said he was "unable to accede to the request" of Ms Swaraj that the demand for discussion is inadmissible as he did not find any "infirmity in the notice given by" Leader of the Opposition and others.
Amid din, he adjourned the House for 15 minutes. When the House reassembled, Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad urged the Chair to suspend the Question Hour and take up a discussion on the issue.
V Maitreyan (AIADMK) stood up and demanded that the Question Hour be taken up, much to the anger of Congress and other parties.
Amid uproar, Mr Ansari adjourned the Hosue till noon. It eventually had to be adjourned for the day.