Uproar in Parliament over crackdown on VHP's 'parikrama yatra'

Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned on Monday after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led opposition created a ruckus over the Uttar Pradesh Government's decision to ban the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's 'Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama Yatra.

The Lok Sabha was adjourned till 11:30 a.m. while the Rajya Sabha adjourned for 15 minutes.

BJP lawmakers Yogi Adityanath and Tarun Vijay have given notice for a discussion over the banning of the VHP yatra in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha respectively.

Senior VHP leaders Pravin Togadia and Ashok Singhal were among the nearly 1,700 people arrested in a massive crackdown by the Uttar Paradesh administration to foil the saffron outfit's yatra on Sunday that was banned over fears of a communal flareup.

The planned 'Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama Yatra' was to have lasted till 13th September criss-crossing six districts of Uttar Pradesh.

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court had earlier on Saturday dismissed a plea for allowing the 'Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama Yatra', stating that there is a possibility of tension, and added that the restriction will be maintained.

The VHP has vowed to kick off its 'Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama' around Ayodhya to revive its demand for a Ram temple.

The Samajwadi Party Government has banned the proposed Yatra, as a preemptive measure against communal flare-up, and put in place elaborate security arrangements by rushing in 10 companies of the Rapid Action Force and 12 companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC).