New low in Parliament history: Scuffle between two RS members

Parliament today saw a new low in its history as two members in Rajya Sabha almost came to blows over a contentious Bill on reservation for SCs and STs on a day which marked washout of proceedings for the 11th consecutive sitting over coal issue.

Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha could not transact any significant business as unrelenting BJP kept shouting for resignation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over CAG report on coal block allocation.

In the Rajya Sabha, however, the government managed to introduce a Constitution Amendment Bill providing for reservation to SCs and STs in government job promotions amid high drama and commotion as a scuffle broke out between a member each of Samajwadi Party and BSP.

The Bill, which was cleared by the Union Cabinet yesterday, seeks to circumvent a Supreme Court order quashing such a decision of the governments of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

While BJP members shouted slogans over coal issue, SP members were on their feet against the quota bill even before the Chair asked Minister of State for Personnel V.Narayanasamy to introduce it as they had seen the matter listed.

SP member Naresh Agrawal proceeded towards the Well but he was encountered by BSP member Avatar Singh Karimpuri, who grabbed him by his collar. This led to pushing and jostling between the two as other stunned members watched.

Soon marshals rushed in as tempers ran high. The scuffle continued for a few minutes before Avtar Singh Karimpuri was finally made to take his seat with even other BSP members also intervening to hold back their fellow party member.

Naresh Agrawal along with five other SP members stormed into the Well shouting that quota in promotion would not be allowed.

Naresh Agrawal, who was attempting to reach the Chair apparently to snatch papers from Kurien, was prevented from doing so by the marshals.

Amid the high drama, V.Narayanasamy introduced the bill, which was welcomed by the BSP members including Mayawati with the thumping of desk.

Significantly, V.Narayanasamy, whose seat is on the corner of the second row, was today seated in the middle of third row, with two Congress members flanking him on either side.

This strategy was apparently to prevent any member from reaching the Minister and avoid a repeat of an incident during the debate on Lokpal Bill in the Rajya Sabha in last Winter Session. At that time, RJD member Rajniti Prasad had snatched the Bill from V.Narayanasamy and torn it.

All the while, BJP members were in the Well shouting slogans and demanding resignation of the Prime Minister over the coal block issue.

Soon after introduction of the Bill, the House was adjourned till 2 PM and then for the day.

Notwithstanding the urgency displayed by the Government to bring the bill, it is set for a delay with Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde saying outside Parliament that there was not enough time to pass it during the current session.

In the Lok Sabha, it was a repeat of the last 10 days as it witnessed uproar created by BJP over coal issue.

Members of DMK, a constituent of the ruling UPA alliance, as also AIADMK were in the Well to oppose the upcoming visit of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa. DMK members were also holding placards which read – “Don’t hurt Tamils. Don’t allow war criminal Rajapaksa”, “Don’t allow Rajapaksa to India“.

In the melee, the government withdrew the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Amendment) Bill, 2009 in Lok Sabha in view of objections from a Parliamentary panel.

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