'Uproar in Parliament over controversial remarks by ministers

Parliament today witnessed uproar over alleged controversial remarks made by Union ministers Niranjan Jyoti and Giriraj Singh, with opposition forcing brief adjournments of both the Houses.

As soon as Lok Sabha met for the day, Leader of Congress Mallikarjun Kharge reminded Speaker Sumitra Mahajan of the adjournment notices given by him and his party colleagues over the reported statements of the two ministers.

The Speaker rejected the notices saying though the matter is of urgent importance, the business of the day cannot be allowed to be disrupted. She, however, suggested that members can raise the issue during Zero Hour.

Kharge said the "objectionable" language used by Jyoti has created tension at a time when there have been communal riots.

Several Congress and Trinamool Congress members rushed to the Well shouting slogans.

Congress members were heard demanding apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The issue being raised by Trinamool Congress could not, however, be heard in the din.

Though the House took up two questions during Question Hour, the continuous pandemonium forced Mahajan to adjourn the House for 15 minutes till 11.30 AM.

While Jyoti was present in the Lok Sabha, Giriraj Singh could not be seen.
Both the ministers had made certain controversial statements yesterday.

As soon as Rajya Sabha met for the day, Congress members stood up waving papers and shouting "shame, shame" and demanded sacking of the concerned ministers.

Amidst the din, several members demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be present in the House.

Congress leader Anand Sharma said, "Kindly request the country's Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come to the House. We are concerned about his whereabouts."

Other parties too took potshots, with TMC member Derek O'Brien saying, "Please grant a visa to the Prime Minister of India to come to the Rajya Sabha."

"Forget bringing black money from abroad, bring back the PM," CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said terming the issue as "very serious".

Joining the attack on the government, BSP chief Mayawati demanded that the woman minister concerned should be sacked for use of such "objectionable" language which is contrary to the spirit of secularism enshrined in the Constitution.
"A high-level probe should be initiated in to the matter and an FIR should be lodged," she said.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the government was ready to hold a discussion on the issue provided it raised as per rules.

"We respect the sanctity of language and which should not be violated by any side. Congress minister have been using such language in the past...We do not justify such language, wherever it emanates from," Naqvi said.

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien, who was in the Chair, said the matter pertained to statements made outside the House and so the Chair was not in a position to take congnisance. He, however, suggested that the opposition raise the issue after giving notice as per provisions.

But, opposition members kept on protesting. Ram Gopal Yadav (SP) also attacked the government saying a minister had used objectionable language against a large part of the country's population. Expressing his anger he said, "Those who should have been in jail, have come to Parliament."

With the din continuing and several members speaking at the same time, Kurien remarked that he is a "human being and has only two ears to listen to, unlike Ravana who had ten heads and twenty ears."

However, the opposition continued to protest.
Former Union Minister and Congress leader Ashwani Kumar was heard saying that they were not ready for such insults by ministers.

"I agree that ministers should use decent language but the Chair can take conginsance if anything is said in the House," Kurien said, adding that members can raise the matter under appropriate rules. "Go by the rules," he said.

As the opposition refused to relent, he adjourned the House for ten minutes.
Earlier, Minister Birender Singh took affirmation of allegiance to the Constitution in the House.

The House also condoled the death of of three former members Ananda Pathak, Krishan Kumar Deepak and Shiv Pratap Singh.