Rajya Sabha impasse over minister's abusive remark continues

Disruptions over an abusive remark by union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti continued in the Rajya Sabha Friday, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the members to allow the house to function.

Opposition members, however, said that following the statement, they have "scaled down" their demands, and now instead of the minister's resignation, they only want a resolution to be passed by the house.

A total of nine opposition parties have finalised a resolution modelled on the prime minister's statement in the house, which they want to be adopted.

As soon as the house met, members were on their feet demanding that the minister be dismissed.

Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien tried to pacify the members, but as the din continued, the house was adjourned till noon.

When the house reassembled for the Question Hour at noon, the scene remained the same.

Communist Party of India-Marxist's (CPI-M) Sitaram Yechury urged Chairman M. Hamid Ansari to allow passage of a resolution condemning the remark.

Reading out from a book on proceedings in the Rajya Sabha, Yechury said: "...exhorting people to preserve and promote amity and harmony and to uphold secular democratic traditions of India in the context of Babri Masjid-Ramjanmabhoomi dispute, a resolution was passed by this house."

"There is a precedence to allow us to move a resolution in the house condemning the remarks that were made that led to the same disharmony," the Left leader said.

"Let the resolution be considered, that is the way to break the impasse," said Yechury.

The chairman, however, said he cannot admit a resolution without a notice.

"The chair cannot be part of a political process," said Ansari.

Yechury then suggested that the prime minister's speech be put to vote.

However, the proposal was disapproved by both the chair as well as the government.

With the protests continuing, the house was first adjourned for half an hour, and then till 2.30 p.m.

Protests continued post-lunch as well, and opposition members not only protested against the minister's remark, but also questioned the government decision to list legislative business after private members' bills, which is against the usual practice.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the business was listed as working time for the house has been extended till 6 p.m. and private members' business ends at 5 p.m.

After a brief discussion and a 15-minute adjournment, it was decided that a call on the issue will be taken by the chairman Monday.

The members then again raised the issue of Jyoti's remark, saying they have "scaled down" their demand.

"We have scaled down our demand. Now we are not asking for resignation, just pass the resolution," Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien said.

The government, however, did not appear ready for the resolution and Naqvi said the issue should be "closed" as the prime minister himself has "strongly disapproved" of the remarks in the house.

Kurien urged the opposition and government members to sit together and resolve the impasse.

With protests continuing, the house was adjourned for the day.

The minister reportedly said at a public meeting here: "Aapko tay karna hai ki Dilli mein sarkar Ramzadon ki banegi ya haramzadon ki." (You have to decide if you want a government in Delhi to be led by the children of Lord Ram or illegitimate children).