The Opposition in Rajya Sabha today lodged a strong protest over the government's "inaction" in containing disturbances in Jharkhand after the hanging of two cattle traders there last month and demanded setting up of a Parliamentary Committee to probe the matter.
Soon after Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said no action was taken to check the violent incidents that erupted in the state after the bodies of the two cattle-traders were found hanging, members of Congress, SP, JD(U) and CPI(M) trooped into the Well raising slogans, with some even demanding dismissal of the BJP-led Jharkhand government.
Trouble broke out during Zero Hour after JD(U) member Gulam Rasool Balyavi raised the issue of hanging of two men belonging to the minority community in a village in Jharkhand's Latehar district last month.
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He said the state government failed to take any action against the culprits even after passage of almost two months since the bodies were found hanging from a tree.
Accusing the state government of not being able to protect the minority community from violence, Balyavi said the community was still living in fear in the state.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said he will speak to the Jharkhand government to find the truth behind the incident.
Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptulla also tried to assure the House saying she will write a letter to the state Chief Minister and inquire about the facts of the incident.
Azad said when the two traders were found hanging, he had written a letter to the Prime Minister over the issue, but no action was taken.
He said dozens of settlements were set on fire and people attacked by mobs following the incident and "still Naqvi is talking about the verifying authenticity. ... It is shameful ... BJP should be ashamed," he added.
Naqvi then said it needs to be kept in mind that peace in the country should not be disturbed.
Dissatisfied with the government's response, Congress MPs started shouting slogans against the government alleging inaction on its part.
CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said two months have passed since the incident happened and Heptulla now says she will inquire about the incident. He said it was a communal issue and not a state law and order subject and hence the House needs to look into it.
Yechury demanded the forming of a House Committee to go to the district in Jharkhand and investigate the matter.
Sharad Yadav of JD(U) also supported Yechury's demand, saying Heptulla was taking it "casually".
Soon after this, members of Congress, JD(U), SP and
CPI(M) trooped into the Well shouting slogans, including 'Jharkhand sarkar ko barkhaast (dismiss) karo'.
As Naqvi proposed a short discussion on the issue, the Opposition rejected it saying they needed a Parliamentary Committee to investigate it.
"It is a serious matter undermining the fabric of the country. Time for discussion is over. Order a House Committee," Yechury said.
Amid the uproar, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien adjourned the House for some time.
