The Lok Sabha was adjourned twice this morning in quick succession as members of the treasury benches and opposition sparred over frequent disruptions and the government seeking an apology from opposition for paralysing the proceedings for 16 days.
As soon as the House met for the day, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan welcomed a delegation from Vietnam's National Assembly. As the Lok Sabha will not meet on December 13, she referred to the Parliament attack of 2001 and recalled the courage of 8 Delhi Police, CRPF and Parliament Security Service Personnel who had died defending the people inside the Parliament complex.
As soon as she announced taking up the Question Hour, Congress Leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge rose apparently to raise the issue of demonetization.
But before he could speak, BJP members shouted to remind him of the remarks of President Pranab Mukherjee who had said the House is not a place for dharnas and disruption which amounts to "gagging of majority" by the minority.
Soon, a verbal spat broke out between the two sides and the Speaker adjourned the House till 1130 hours.
When the House met again, Kharge said the Opposition was ready for debating demonetization and has been continuously requesting for it. "We are ready for debate on demonetization and its repercussions," he said.
However, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar immediately shot back saying the Opposition has disrupted the House for 16 days by holding it into ransom and they must tender apology.
"For 16 days they have disrupted the House and held the House hostage. Majority wanted to debate. But Congress, TMC and Left members are not allowing the House to function. The situation has reached such a stage that the President had to speak against the disruption. They must tender apology to the people of the country," he said.
BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi said for protests and sit-ins, as suggested by the President, Jantar Mantar is the best place and not the Parliament and hence the Opposition must apologise. As the pandemonium continued, the Speaker adjourned the House till noon
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