Proceedings of the Rajya Sabha were washed out today with a united opposition creating uproar over conversions and pressing for an assurance by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that such acts would not be allowed.
The Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha also saw disruptions over a reported circular that schools should remain open on Christmas before the government clarified that there was no order but only an online essay competition which is voluntary in nature.
In the Upper House, the opposition first vociferously pressed for an urgent discussion on conversions and when it was agreed to, it demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be present and give a reply to the debate.
The government, on the other hand, insisted that the reply will be given by Home Minister, leading to a deadlock because of which the House was adjourned for the day at 3 PM, after four adjournments.
Finance Minister and Leader of the House Arun Jaitley said the government was ready for debate on any issue as he asked Opposition if it wanted "total ban on religious conversion or forced conversion", either of which was acceptable to the government.
Opposition unitedly voiced concern over reports of conversion in Agra recently and wanted no less than the Prime Minister himself to assure the House and the country that such things would not be allowed.
Members from parties like Congress, Left and TMC said the issue was serious as it will hurt the secular fabric of the country and only the Prime Minister should reply. They were in the Well shouting slogans, "Pradhanmantri Jawab do-jawab do" and "stop conversion".
Deputy Chairman P J Kurein said he cannot ask the government which particular minister or the Prime Minister should reply.
He noted the Home Minister was sitting in the House and ready to reply. "Do you think he (Home Minister) is not competent to reply," Kurein asked the Opposition.
Attacking the Opposition, Jaitley said it was only interested in distraction and not the debate.
