RS stalled over discrimination against backward classes

The Rajya Sabha was on Monday disrupted and repeatedly adjourned, with opposition parties alleging that the central government was discriminating against backward classes.

The issue was raised by Sharad Yadav of the Janta Dal-United soon after the house met.

Yadav said Scheduled Castes (SC) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) were being overlooked by the central government.

According to him, young men and women from these categories, even after passing competitive examinations, were not sent for training.

Yadav was supported by Ram Gopal Yadav of the Samajwadi Party.

Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien tried to pacify the opposition members but they did not listen to him and gathered in front of him shouting slogans against the Modi government.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi intervened but the opposition parties ignored him too.

Kurien then adjourned the house for 10 minutes.

As the house reassembled, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati raised the issue again and urged the Chair to direct the minister concerned to comment on the issue.

Kurien said: "The minister is free to say whatever he has to, but I cannot ask him to make a statement as it is (being raised) without notice (to Chair)."

The house was again adjourned till noon.

Chaotic scenes were witnessed again at 12 and Chairman Mohammad Hamid Ansari adjourned the Rajya Sabha for 10 minutes and then finally till 2 p.m.

--IANS

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