New Delhi : Uproar continued in the Lok Sabha Thursday with almost all opposition parties demanding a discussion on the Agra “conversions”.
As soon as the house met for the day, members of the Congress, Trinamool Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and CPI-M gathered near the speaker’s podium, and also raised slogans like “Modi sarkar hosh mein aao” (Wake up, Modi government) and “Hindu-Muslim bhai-bhai” (Hindus, Muslims are brothers).
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge asked Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to allow a discussion on the issue.
“You have full powers to suspend the question hour. The government has already agreed to a discussion, kindly allow us,” he said.
Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav said that the matter should be taken “seriously”.
“Otherwise, there might be riots,” he said.
The alleged forcible conversion of about 300 Muslims in Agra had echoed in parliament Wednesday as well, with opposition members raising the issue in both houses.
Nearly 300 members of some 60 Muslim families living in a slum on Agra’s outskirts reportedly embraced Hinduism Monday.
The house was adjourned for 10 minutes over the issue.
Mulayam Singh’s comments that the incident could lead to riots in the state evoked a strong response from the ruling side with members asking him to take back his words.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Pratap Rudy said the opposition should let the house function and the discussion can be held after the business listed for the day was over.
Responding to this, Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia said that while traditionally it is usual for business listed to be taken up first, the government has already set a precedent of tinkering with it to suit themselves.
“Thus a discussion on this subject which is very important should be held immediately,” he added.
Trinamool Congress member Sultan Ahmed said: “All work must be stopped and this should be taken up.”