New Delhi: Congress-led Opposition on Thursday created ruckus in Rajya Sabha over a discussion on violence in Gaza not being listed in the day's agenda, leading to two adjournments during the Question Hour.
As soon as the House met for the day, Chairman Hamid Ansari said though the matter was included in yesterday's agenda, it has not been done so today following a request from
Leader of the House Arun Jaitley that the issue "may not be taken up on July 17 and that the Government will communicate an appropriate date for the same soon."
This infuriated members of Congress and other parties in the Opposition.
Quoting rules, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma insisted that once a matter has been included in the list of business, it becomes the property of the House and must be listed the very next day.
Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M) also supported Sharma saying dropping the issue from the agenda would amount to violation of the Constitution.
He said though a communication has been received from Jaitely for having the discussion on another date, the reason for it has not been given.
Sharad Yadav (JD-U) said many Indians earn their livelihood in West Asia and thus, the matter concerned many people here.
Members also wanted to know why the discussion on the issue was being delayed, particularly after the violence was condemned by BRICS leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The issue was raised as External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj yesterday sent a letter to the Chairman requesting him to withdraw the issue from the day's agenda.
In his ruling today, Ansari said he was "unable to accede to the request" of Swaraj that the demand for discussion is inadmissible as he did not find any "infirmity in the notice given by" Leader of the Opposition and others.
Amid din, Ansari adjourned the House for 15 minutes. When the House reassembled, Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad urged the Chair to suspend the Question Hour and take up a discussion on the issue.
V Maitreyan (AIADMK) stood up and demanded that the Question Hour be taken up, much to the anger of Congress and other parties. Amid uproar, Ansari adjourned the Hosue till noon.
The House witnessed uproarious scenes during Zero Hour after V Maitreyan (AIADMK) wondered that while the opposition members were so agitated over the killing of citizens in a distant land, they were not concerned over the killing of Tamil Nadu fishermen in Sri Lanka.
"I strongly condemn the killing of innocent civilians anywhere in the world, whether it is Palestine or Sri Lanka. I and my party are anguished that while they (opposition) are so concerned about the killing of citizens at a distant place, they are not concerned about killing of Tamil Nadu fishermen in neihgbouring Sri Lanka," he said.
Irked by his remarks, opposition members including those of Congress and Left parties were on their feet and entered the aisles while Maitreyan received support from treasury benches.
Protesting members demanded that the "aspersions" cast by Maitreyan be expunged.
Deputy Chairman P J Kurien sought to pacify the agitated members saying he will check the records and will expunge remarks if they have cast any direct or indirect aspersion against any member.
Leading the opposition attack, Congress accused the government of "disrespecting" and "diluting" institutions one after another and said that now they were trying to do so with Parliament.
"The question is not what topic is to be discussed and when. The question is that whether the Executive can over-rule the rights of the Legislature. In such a short span of time, this government has disrespected one institution after another in the country. After Judiciary, they are now trying to disrespect Parliament. We will now allow it," Satyavrat Chaturvedi (Cong) said.
Resenting Maitreyan's remarks, Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said India has economic interest in West Asia and peace in that region is in the interest of India.
"The country's economy is based on West Asia," he said. I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar said the government understands the sensitivities and respects the right of members.
"To maintain the dignity of the House is responsibility of both sides. Government is not running away from a debate. The issue may be taken up at the Business Advisory Committee meeting," he said.
As soon as the House met for Zero Hour, Naresh Chandra Agarwal (SP) demanded that a short duration discussion on violence in Gaza be taken up as per the list of business yesterday since the Chair has dismissed External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's request not to hold a discussion on the issue.
Raising a point of order, Agarwal said as per rules either a discussion should take place on yesterday's agenda or the matter be decided through voting.
P Rajeeve (CPI-M) demanded a short duration discussion on violence in Gaza strip saying as per rule it should have taken place after Question Hour.
Sharad Yadav (JD-U) said postponing the discussion would send wrong signals as India's relations to West Asia is "centuries old" with economic and social ties.
"We should raise our voice and send our message through Parliament to the world," he said demanding a discussion. D Raja (CPI) demanded that there should be a "meaningful and structural discussion" on the important issue wondering why the government was not agreeing for it.
Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M) said the issue was listed yesterday in the revised list of business which could not have been prepared without government consent.
"Government had earlier agreed but changed its mind. Government's reversal of their position has to be explained in Parliament...Government is accountable legislature...Government cannot influence what is to be discussed by legislature," he said.
