JOIN USAn adamant Opposition on Tuesday stalled the Rajya Sabha for the second consecutive day, refusing to budge from their demand of a response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on religious conversions by Sangh outfits.
Though it was listed in the business of the House, the government could not introduce the pro-reform Insurance (Amendment) Bill as Opposition MPs crowded the Well shouting slogans like “Dharm ka sauda band karo (Stop the trading of religion)” and “No PM, no house”.
The protests were so intense that the House was conducted for just 38 minutes between 11 am and 2:41 pm, when it was adjourned for the day. On Monday, which was also washed out due to protests, the House was conducted for only 65 minutes.
Repeated requests by Chairman Hamid Ansari and Deputy Chairman P J Kurien did not yield any result as both sides took it upon themselves to shout each other down.
As the Opposition leaders appeared to be getting the upper hand, some senior BJP ministers were seen prodding their MPs to vociferously counter the demand.