Disruptions continue in Lok Sabha

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday witnessed repeated disruptions as the Opposition raised a number of issues, including suspension of their MPs and a debate on lynching.

They kept raising slogans near the Speaker's podium amid the Question Hour.

Opposition MPs were stationed near the Chair throughout the Question Hour, and refused to go back even when External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj wanted to speak on the missing Indians in Iraq.

Later, however, the opposition members agreed to return to their seats and allowed the statement. Though soon afterwards, they resumed their protests.

They wanted a debate on atrocities against the Dalits and Muslims by cow vigilantes.

They also demanded withdrawal of the suspension of six Congress MPs, who were barred from attending the Lok Sabha for five consecutive days after tearing up and throwing papers in the House.

While the Question Hour proceeded amid the sloganeering, when Zero Hour started, the government wanted to make a statement on the Indians missing in Iraq since 2014.

Sushma Swaraj said it was a serious issue and refused to make a statement amid the din.

Speaker Sumitra Mahajan addressed a complaint by Congress MPs on BJP MP Anurag Thakur making a video during the Lok Sabha proceedings.

The Speaker, however, let him off with a warning, which led to loud protests from the opposition MPs. The House was then briefly adjourned for 15 minutes.

When the House reassembled, the opposition members agreed to go back to their seats to allow Sushma Swaraj to make a statement.

However, soon after the statement was completed, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge once again questioned the Chair for letting off Thakur with "just a warning".

Kharge said besides suspending Congress MPs on Monday over their "unbecoming" action, in the past too, AAP MP Bhagwant Mann was suspended for making a video in the Parliament complex and posting it online.

The Speaker then adjourned the House till 2.15 p.m.

--IANS

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