Oppn stalls RS proceedings for second day on Sadhvi issue

A united Opposition today cornered the government in the Rajya Sabha and created pandemonium demanding resignation of Union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti for her controversial remarks leading to a wash-out of the proceedings for the second day in a row.
The House saw trouble soon after it met for the day with opposition attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not coming to the House to speak on the issue and wanted him to announce the "sacking" of the minister.
The House was adjourned four times in the pre-lunch sitting and twice again in the post-lunch period due to the opposition uproar, before it was adjourned for the day.

Opposition members alleged the minister had "violated" the Constitution as her controversial utterances were against the word "secular" and its spirit as enshrined in the Constitution.
The entire Opposition was up on its feet from the word go and its members stormed into the Well while raising slogans demanding the minister's dismissal.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu rejected the demand citing controversial remarks made in the past by leaders from other parties as well.
BJP members were also seen engaged in angry exchange of words with the Opposition as government appeared toughening its stand on the issue with a number of ministers countering the demand.

Members from Congress, SP and JD (U) trooped into the Well while those from CPI-M, CPI and Trinamool Congress were on their feet rejecting the government's argument that the matter should be treated as closed since the minister has already expressed regret.