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Maharashtra riots create uproar in Parliament
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December 01, 2006 12:42 IST
Last Updated: December 01, 2006 14:46 IST

The alleged desecration of Dr B R Ambedkar's statue in Kanpur created uproar in Parliament on Friday with both Houses adjourning for brief periods following clashes between Bahujan Samaj Party and Samjwadi Party members.

As soon as the two Houses assembled, BSP members raised the issue and demanded suspension of the Question Hour to allow a discussion on the incident, which had created a law and order problem in Maharashtra and other parts of the country.

Lok Sabha

In the Lok Sabha, BSP member Brajesh Pathak said four people of the Dalit community, who were protesting the incident, had been killed in Maharashtra.

Dalits were also being "harassed and insulted," he said.

"The law and order situation is going from bad to worse and culprits have not been brought to book," Pathak said denouncing the arrest of a member of community in Uttar Pradesh on charges of defilement of the statue.

He demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry into the incident.

SP members led by Ramjilal Suman strongly contested BSP's charges leading to heated exchanges between them.

At one stage, two SP members trooped into the well protesting certain remarks by BSP members. These remarks were expunged by Deputy Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal who was in the chair.

With BSP member raising slogans like "Baba Ambedkar amar rahe" and the uproar continuing, Atwal adjourned the House till 11:30 am.

In the Lok Sabha, BSP and Congress members demanded dismissal of the Mulayam Singh Yadav government.

The BSP members denounced vandalising of Ambedkar's statue by some anti-social elements and demanded suspension of question hour to allow a debate on the incident.

Supported by Congress members, BSP members demanded dismissal of the Samajwadi Party government in UP and trooped into the well of the House.

Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said a debate could be held on the issue during zero hour and pleaded with members to allow the question hour.

He said Ambedkar had written the Constitution and stressed the question hour should be allowed.

By not allowing the question hour, the members were not showing respect to Ambedkar, Chatterjee said.

As the din continued, he adjourned the House for 20 minutes. When the House re-assembled at 11:30 am, similar scenes were witnessed forcing the Chair to adjourn it till noon.

When the Lok Sabha met again, BSP members again raised slogans demanding dismissal of the UP Government and a CBI inquiry into the incident.

As the uproar continued, the Speaker adjourned the House till 2:00 pm.

Rajya Sabha

In the Rajya Sabha, BSP leader Mayawati raised the issue demanding suspension of the Question hour for a discussion on the Kanpur incident.

She demanded dismissal of the Mulayam Singh Yadav government in Uttar Pradesh accusing it of being involved in the incident.

"How can a drunken man belonging to the Dalit community, who has been arrested in this connection, ever do such a thing?" she asked adding an attempt was being made to divide the Dalit communtiy.

Her comments provoked strong reaction from SP members who said the issue should not be politicised.

SP members, led by Amar Singh, hailed Ambedkar and shouted slogans in his support. Sensing the mood, the Chair adjourned the House first for 20 minutes till 11:30 am and then again till noon.

In the Rajya Sabha, Mayawati demanded a CBI probe into the incident while SP members said such an inquiry should include other incidents of desecration of statutes.

The Chairman assured Mayawati that a CBI inquiry would be undertaken. "I will get it done," he said.

Earlier, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Suresh Pachouri moved a resolution condemning the desecration of Ambedkar's statute at Kanpur.

When the Rajya Sabha reassembled at noon, BSP members raised the issue again and rushed into the well. SP members were also on their feet.

After slogan shouting, BSP members led by Mayawati staged a walkout.


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