On Thursday afternoon, the Lok Sabha took up a discussion on the recent atrocities committed against Dalits. Given the political brouhaha over the issue, a good number of members was expected. Of its 543 members, there were only 69, including the Deputy Speaker, present in the Lok Sabha half an hour into the debate.
The Congress has repeatedly raised the issue of Dalit atrocities but only eight of its 44 members were present in the House at the time. However, Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia disputed this figure to claim that 18 Congress members of Parliament were present. From the treasury benches, only six of the 76 ministers attended the discussion.
