Uproar continues in Lok Sabha over Agra 'conversions'

Uproar continued in the Lok Sabha Thursday with almost all opposition parties demanding the suspension of the question hour and a discussion on the Agra "conversions".

As soon as the house met for the day, members of the Congress, Trinamool Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and CPI-M trooped near the speaker's podium, and also raised slogans like "Modi sarkaar hosh mein aao" (Wake up, Modi government) and "Hindu-Muslim bhai-bhai".

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge asked Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to allow a discussion on the issue.

"You have full powers to suspend the question hour. The government has already agreed to a discussion, kindly allow us," he said.

Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav said that the matter should be taken "seriously".

"Otherwise, there might be riots," he said. The alleged forcible conversion of about 300 Muslims in Agra echoed in parliament Wednesday as well, with opposition members raising the issue in both houses.

Nearly 300 members of some 60 Muslim families living in a slum on Agra's outskirts reportedly embraced Hinduism Monday. The house was briefly adjourned for 10 minutes.