Rajya Sabha takes up arrest, maltreatment of diplomat Khobragade in U.S.

Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma says Khobragade's ill-treatment is a matter of national outrage

Question Hour was suspended in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday to take up the arrest and maltreatment of India's Deputy Consul General in New York Devyani Khobragade.

Initiating the discussion, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley, expressed his concern over the ill treatment of Khobragade, and said that it was a direct affront to national honour.

Describing Khobragade's arrest and subsequent maltreatment as arbitrary and in contravention of the Vienna Conventions, Jaitley asked the government to lodge a strong protest with Washington.

Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said that Khobragade's ill-treatment is a matter of national outrage.

He said the government would make a statement in this regard.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati also took strong exception to the strip search carried out on the diplomat by U.S. marshals, and said it was highly insulting.

She said that there is a strong resentment among Scheduled Caste communities as the woman diplomat belonged to the community.

As soon as the Upper House assembled for the day, members cut across party lines to demand a discussion on the issue.

Chairman Mohammed Hamid Ansari had to adjourn the House for 15 minutes to take a decision in consultation with leaders of various political groups.