BJP members force adjournment on controversial publication

New Delhi, Mar 9 (UNI) The Lok Sabha was today adjourned soon after the question hour till 1415 hrs following strident protests by BJP members over the publication of a book by some Christian missionaries in Rajasathan allegedly denigrating Hindu religion.

Raising the issue during zero hour, Shri Chand Kirplani of the BJP charged that some Christian missionaries in Kota had published a book in Hindi which was disrespectful to Hindu gods and demanded that it be banned.

He claimed that other communities had joined the Hindus in protesting against the book.

His naming of some Christians missionaries drew protests from some Christian members from Kerala and RJD members from Bihar who were up on their feet accusing the BJP of communalising the issue for narrow political gains.

This led to acrimonious exchanges between the two sides and other BJP members too joined the issue which resulted in a din in the House.

The Speaker, however, did not allow reading of excerpts from the book in the House and asked Mr Kirplani to only raise the issue and not give avoidable discriptions about the book.

But the member continued giving details about the alleged objectionable allusions to Hindu religion, forcing Speaker Somnath Chatterjee to adjourn the House till 1415 hrs.

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