For the second straight day , Rajya Sabha failed to transact any business as a combined opposition created ruckus over the "explosive" and "emotive" issue of conversions and government's move to hold events in schools on Christmas.
As a result of the deadlock, the Insurance Bill, a key reform legislation providing for raising FDI cap from 26% to 49%, could not be introduced in the House even though it was listed on the agenda. The House saw stalemate for the second day with the Opposition unitedly voicing concern over reports of conversion and wanting no less than Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself to assure the House and the country that action would be taken against such acts.
Both the ruling and opposition benches accused each other of disrupting the House and preventing a discussion on the issue of conversions which the government agreed to hold. "The assurance was given by the Prime Minister to the House. That has been violated. Only the Prime Minister should come and explain as to why his words are not being honoured," said Deputy Leader of Congress Anand Sharma.
Describing conversions as an "explosive and emotive issue" which is "unacceptable", Sharma said, "Why have Members of Parliament from his Party violated the assurance given by the Prime Minister of India? It is clear that the Government does not want this House to function." Making it clear that the opposition would not allow the House to function till the Prime Minister responds, he said, "We have no option but to oppose and expose the government." Soon after members of from his party as also those from Left and SP trooped into the Well.
Finance Minister and Leader of the House Arun Jaitley lashed out at the opposition, saying "the issue is you want anarchy and not discussion." He wanted to speak on the proposal for celebrations in Jawahar Novadaya Vidyalayas on Christmas Day but could not because of the din. He began by saying that the 500 Navodaya Vidyalayas are residential schools since 1987 but he could not continue.
As ruckus went on, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien rued that the "indiscipline" is "unfair". Earlier, Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M) said the government had yesterday stated that there was no order asking government schools to remain open on Christmas Day for an essay competition on 'Good Governance' to mark former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's birthday.
He said he had a copy of the circular issued to schools and wanted it to be tabled in the House. Because of the continuous uproar, the House was adjourned six times during the day before the final call at around 2.30 PM.
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