Gujarat MLAs clash over Asaram ashram deaths

Lawmakers in the Gujarat Assembly on Wednesday came to blows when Dalit leader Jignesh Mewani raised the matter of the deaths of two children in the Asaram ashram in 2008 in Sabarmati.

The ruckus led to the House being adjourned shortly after Question Hour by Speaker Rajendra Trivedi till 2.30 p.m.

The incident occurred a day after the drama over the nomination for Naran Rathwa for the Rajya Sabha polls.

Legislators here clashed during the discussion on the deaths of two cousins staying at the self-styled godman Asaram Bapu's ashram for children.

As soon as Question Hour ended, Congress member Vikram Madam raised a point of order concerning the deaths. He wanted to know whether the government would table the report of the Commission which probed the deaths.

Pradeepsinh Jadeja (BJP) wanted a discussion over wastage of time in the House, while Congress MLA Ambrish Der, at the same time, pressed for a discussion on the deaths.

The Speaker ruled that such point of order -- as sought by Madam -- cannot be raised.

At this point, seemingly agitated by something said to him by BJP MLA Jagdish Panchal, Congress legislator Pratap Dudhat rushed from his place and grabbed a microphone from one of the desk and threw it towards Panchal, missing him by inches.

The action created a furore in the House as almost everybody got excited and started shouting.

The commotion compelled the Speaker to adjourn the House for 10 minutes which was later extended till 2.30 p.m.

Madam and Der were later suspended for one day by the Speaker.

--IANS

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