The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and the Government had to face an embarrassing situation here on Wednesday when External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj refused to allow a discussion on the situation in Gaza, despite it figuring in the list of business for the day.

Veterans in the House said such a situation — wherein the Government refuses to allow a discussion on an item included in the list of business — is unprecedented.

The revised list of business in the Rajya Sabha said several Opposition members, including Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, will raise a short duration discussion on the “unprecedented spurt in violence in Gaza and West Bank area of Palestine causing death of scores of civilians.” The item was listed after the question hour, above the scheduled discussion on the Railway Budget.

When it was taken up, however, Swaraj resisted a debate. She said she came to know about the listing rather late and had written to Chairman Hamid Ansari, requesting that it be dropped. “We have diplomatic ties with both nations. Any discourteous reference to any friendly country can impact our relations with them,” she said in the Upper House. She added that such a discussion cannot be allowed until the Chairman takes a decision on her letter on the issue.

Ministers Venkaiah Naidu and Ravi Shankar Prasad supported her stand and urged the members to start the debate on the Railway Budget.

The Opposition, however, argued that the list of business is prepared with the consent of the Government and the Government cannot tell the House that a discussion cannot be allowed on a subject listed in the day’s business. protested.

The issue is likely to figure on Thursday as well.

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