Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha disrupted after ruckus over demonetisation

Sitaram Yechury demanded PM Modi's presence in the house when the discussion on demonetisation was on

Both the Houses of the parliament were disrupted on Tuesday after opposition members noisily protested the demonetisation, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of behaving like a dictator and pushing ordinary people into hardship.

A miffed Lok Sahba speaker Sumitra Mahajan said it was "not fair" to disrupt the House and urged the slogan-shouting opposition leaders to take their seats and let the Question Hour continue.

As Minister of State for Home Affair Kiren Rijiju rose to reply questions related to terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, the opposition members led by the Congress and Trinamool Congress rushed towards the Speaker's podium demanding an adjournment motion.

"Don't disturb the minister. You cannot disturb the minister. It is not the proper way to raise the issue concerning the common people," Mahajan said.

But the opposition did not relent and continued shouting slogans: "Modi sarkar hosh me aao" and "Modi teri tanashahi nahi chalegi, nahi chalegi".

Mahajan then adjourned the House till 12 and said: "It pains when elected representatives behave like this."

The scene in Rajya Sabha was similar, with Opposition demanding prime minister's presence in the House.

The Rajya Sabha was disrupted several times and adjourned four times till 2 p.m. The upper house was first adjourned for 20 minutes till 11.30 a.m.; again till 12 pm; later till 12.30 p.m. When it resumed, within two minutes it was adjourned till 2 p.m.

CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's presence in the house when the discussion on demonetisation was on.

Congress' Ghulam Nabi Azad also made the same demand, asking for Modi to listen to what the opposition had to say.

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien said although he could ask Modi to speak on the issue but it was impossible to ask him to be present during the discussion.