Congress members today forced three adjournments of the Rajya Sabha, protesting the statements of Union Ministers Arun Jaitley and Piyush Goyal disputing the version of former Minister Kumari Selja that she was asked about her caste in a Gujarat temple.
The Congress members trooped into the Well raising slogans, forcing three adjournments - the first time for 10 minutes, then till noon and thereafter again till 2 PM, alleging that the government's statements disputing Selja's remarks were "misleading".
Selja had created a stir during the debate on commitment to the Constitution yesterday claiming that she was asked about her caste when she had visited a temple in Dwarka town of Gujarat as a Minister during UPA rule.
As soon as the House met and took up the Zero Hour today, Leader of the House Arun Jaitley referred to the issue and said that Selja had, in fact, said very "complimentary words" during her visit to the Dwarka temple in February 2013.
He said Selja had also written positive things about her experience at the temple and there was no complaint. He also read out Selja's written comments at the temple.
To this, Selja said she was not referring to the main Dwarka temple, but 'Bet Dwarka'. "Please don't try to mislead the House. That day, I had made it very clear that it was 'Bet Dwarka' and not the main Dwarka (temple). Please don't do this, Leader of the House. It doesn't behove."
Selja also said that she was very happy visiting the main temple where she was treated well and had "a very good 'darshan'".
Congress members were on their feet and so were some from the treasury benches, as Selja said the ministers should have "some grace".
As arguments ensued, Power Minister Piyush Goyal chipped in to say that Congress members were trying to create "manufactured problems" and "manufactured discrimination".
His comment further agitated Congress members who, led by Selja, rushed to the Well.
As slogan shouting continued, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien tried to pacify the protestors. As his pleas went unheeded, he adjourned the House for 10 minutes.
When the House reassembled, there were similar scenes and Kurien again adjourned the proceedings till 12 noon.
When the House met at noon, Congress members again trooped
into the Well raising slogans, as Chairman Hamid Ansari's pleas for order in the House to allow the Question Hour went unheeded.
"You have to grant us protection," Selja told the Chairman as she and other Congress members raised slogans - "Samvidhaan ka apmaan, band karo, band karo" (Stop insulting the Constitution).
Amid the uproar, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi again read out Selja's written statement at the main Dwarka temple earlier, complimenting the authorities there for arrangements. But it was inaudible in the din.
As the uproar continued, Ansari adjourned the House till 2 PM.
(Reopens PAR6)
When the House reassembled at 2 PM, Congress members led
by Selja, protesting the remarks made by Goyal, trooped into the Well again and raising slogans against the government.
The protesting members shouted "Narendra Modi maafi mango (Modi apologise) and Narendra Modi hai hai," forcing adjournment of the House for 15 minutes.
The Deputy Chairman P J Kurien, who was visibly upset, later called in Jaitley, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad and leaders of other parties besides Selja into the Chamber in a bid to resolve the impasse.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi had suggested that if the mention of Dwarka temple is expunged, then any remarks made that upset Selja should also be expunged.
CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said "Goyal made a statement which was totally uncalled for. This was almost like calling her (Selja) a liar..."
"But this is a self goal. Leader of the House made a statement and the matter should have ended there. Why cast aspersions and call her names," he asked, adding that the House should be discussing issue of flooding in Tamil Nadu.
Yechury said Goyal must withdraw what he said, apologise and everyone can move forward.
The CPI(M) leader found support from TMC's Derek O'brien who said the issue should not be "over cooked" and one should apologise and move on to discuss Tamil Nadu floods.
However, as the Congress members continued slogan- shouting, Kurien lost his cool and said, "are you shouting at me? Why are you not letting the Chair speak? This kind of attitude and behaviour is not nice."
Kurien added that he agreed that there was a "problem" and that Selja is aggrieved but a solution has to be found.
Initially refusing to adjourn, Kurien every member is a human and sometimes human commit mistake.
Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said the comments made from the treasury bench should not have been made. The remarks from the treasury benches has complicated the issue, he added.
Azad assured the Chair that when the time for discussion on Tamil Nadu flood is fixed, his party would participate. He said that while recognizing the seriousness of the issue, a solution has to be found. "I leave it to the Chair to find a solution," he added.
JD(U) leader K C Tyagi chipped in and said that till Selja, a senior member of the House and a woman, is not satisfied, no solution can be found. He accused the government of "manufacturing intolerance".
