LS Speaker: Debate on riots after Holi

Angry Opposition MPs paralyse both Houses for 2nd day ■

Both Houses of Parliament were disrupted for the second day on Tuesday over the Opposition’s demand for an immediate discussion on the riots in Delhi that have claimed over 47 lives so far, and the Lok Sabha Speaker and Rajya Sabha chairperson’s refusal to allow it.

In the Lok Sabha, the

Speaker Om Birla said that such a discussion would be undertaken only after Holi, on March 11, sparking anger and more disruptions.

Adamant on their demand for a discussion on Delhi riots, the Opposition parties said that while the “entire world” has expressed concern over the riots, the Indian Parliament is yet to discuss it, and a delay in discussing it give the impression that the House of democracy considers it a “non-issue and a nonevent”.

While in Lok Sabha, Speaker Om Birla said that any discussion on the subject would take place only after Holi next week, leading to vociferous protests from Opposition, in Rajya Sabha, deputy chairman Dr Harivansh said that chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu will consult with both the Opposition and treasury benches to decide the day the issue would be discussed. However, Opposition parties in the Upper House insisted that when both the treasury and Opposition benches agree that the issue should be discussed, no other business should take place on Wednesday.

In Lok Sabha, another shoving match ensued like Monday between the

treasury and Opposition members over the Delhi riots.

Hardly any business was transcated in both the Houses as Opposition members kept demanding discussion on the subject and the Houses witnessed multiple adjournments.

The government, however, moved the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020, which seeks to strengthen cooperative banks, in the Lok Sabha amidst the din.

“If we discuss this subject next week… after 10-12 days, it will be a non-issue...it is still not that late… we should express our condolences with those who died in the riots... whether we are sitting this side or that side (treasury benches), we should not run away from our responsibilities,” said Ghulam Nabi Azad.