LS plunges into turmoil, adjourns till 12 noon

The Lok Sabha plunged into turmoil as members of various parties stormed the Well raising a spate of issues, including the plight of Sri Lankan Tamils, soon after the House assembled for the day.

The Lok Sabha on Thursday plunged into turmoil as members of various parties stormed the Well raising a spate of issues, including the plight of Sri Lankan Tamils, soon after the House assembled for the day.

HT Image

An angry Speaker Somnath Chatterjee waited for about 15 minutes in the hope of restoring order but adjourned the proceedings till 12 noon as members were unrelenting.

It was trouble from the word go as BSP members marched to the Well raising slogans against the UPA government for “being anti-Dalit” as it had “ignored” the backward classes in a new draft legislation on universities introduced in the House.

BJP members joined them on the same issue, while members of PMK and MDMK trooped into the Well demanding that the government make efforts to “stop war” in Sri Lanka. TDP members were also seen raising the Satyam issue.

Angered by the members’ behaviour, Chatterjee said “you are behaving in the most condemnable manner. I express my greatest annoyance and condemnation.”

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi swung into action some time later and was seen placating BSP and BJP members.

But as sloganeering continued, the Speaker adjourned the House.