Parliament adjourned after uproar

Sri Lankan Tamils issue, alleged police atrocities against pro-Telangana activists cause uproar

Parliament was adjourned today after uproar by members over issues of ethnic Tamils in Sri Lanka and alleged police atrocities against pro-Telangana activists in Andhra Pradesh.

DMK and AIADMK members trooped into the Well in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha raising slogans against the government for "not making efforts" for a stronger resolution against Sri Lanka over the ethnic Tamils issue at the UNHRC yesterday.

In the Lok Sabha, some Congress members were also seen waving placards against "police atrocities" against pro-Telangana activists in Andhra Pradesh.

Members from Tamil Nadu, barring Congress, were in the Well shouting slogans and waving placards which read 'We condemn betrayal of India against Tamils at UNHRC'.

Earlier, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath was seen having a word with Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj to have key legislations like the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to replace an Ordinance, passed in the Lok Sabha.

The Bill has to be passed today as the Ordinance will lapse on April 4. Parliament will have a four-week recess from tomorrow.

As members were unrelenting, Speaker Meira Kumar adjourned the House till noon. It was then adjourned for the day. The Lower House will now meet on April 22.

In Rajya Sabha, as Chairman Hamid Ansari walked in, AIADMK members led by their leader V Maitreyan rushed to the Well and knelt down holding posters of slain LTTE chief Prabhakaran's son, allegedly killed by Sri Lankan army.

After a reference by the Chair to World Water Day being observed today, DMK members rushed into the Well raising the issue of India's "failure" to get a stronger resolution passed in the UNHRC.

T Siva (DMK) said he has given a notice for suspension of Question Hour and alleged that no attempt was made by India to ensure a stronger censure of Sri Lankan government on alleged war crimes against Tamils in that country.

D Raja (CPI) rose to support the Tamil issue and tried to make some point but was hardly audible in the din.

"No posters please," Ansari told AIADMK members who kept holding the posters silently.

He also asked DMK members to go back to their places so that Question Hour can be taken up. But DMK members started shouting slogans seeking justice for Sri Lankan Tamils. AIADMK members too joined them shortly thereafter.

As members did not relent, Ansari adjourned the House till noon. It was later adjourned till 2.30 pm.