PM Modi in Rajya Sabha, but relentless opposition demands conversion issue debate

Pandemonium and uproar continued to dominate proceedings in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, with a relentless opposition repeatedly demanding a debate on the conversion issue under Rule 267 and a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Mohammad Hamid Ansari repeatedly appealed for restoration of order in the House to allow the discussion on the issue to commence, but the opposition continued to intervene and interrupt on the method to be used for the commencement of the discussion.

Congress leader Anand Sharma says there is no intention of the Opposition to lower the PM's dignity in the House, but he must reply on the conversion row.

The opposition lawmakers asked the Chairman to suspend Question Hour and discuss matters of importance, including the conversion issue.

The Lok Sabha, meanwhile, continued to function normally.

Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav says the House sentiment on the Prime Minister making a statement on conversion row, be respected. "Why are they (government) making it a prestige issue?" he asked.

Earlier,Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien pleaded with the lawmakers to let Zero Hour be completed as they raised their demand for the Prime Minister to make a statement in the House on conversion row.

CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury said the Lok Sabha was functioning because of what he called a tyranny of majority.

Leader of the House Arun Jaitley said while one House is functioning normally, the other is not. It is not the arrogance of the government but of numbers (of Opposition).