Left, BJP clash over Advani's proposed Yatra, book issues

New Delhi, Mar 13 (UNI) The CPI(M)'s dubbing of the proposed yatra of Mr L K Advani as an attempt to ''communalise the polity'' and accusing the BJP of launching a ''hate-campaign'' against Christian missionaries in Rajasthan led to acrimonious exchanges between the members of the two parties, forcing the adjournment of the Lok Sabha till 1330 hours.

During the Zero Hour, Mr Basudeb Acharya (CPI-M) raised the issue of the BJP's proposed yatra alleging that it is an ominous development which would disturb the communal harmony and amity as it did in 1992, 1996 and on other occasions.

His comment that Mr Advani's rath-yatra even culminated in demolition of Babri Masjid and communal violence in various parts of the country, angered BJP members who got up and stoutly defended their leader and his proposed yatra.

The Left members were also on their feet and got a ready support from Congress MPs who too accused the BJP of taking out yatra for political ends.

The issue hardly subsided when Mr Suresh Kurup (CPI-M) raised the issue of ''hate campaign'' allegedly unleashed by the BJP in Kota area of Rajasthan against the Emmannuel Mission International which was running hundreds of educational and charity institutions in the area.

Mr Kurup was supported by other Left members who said their delegation had visited the area and had found that a sustained and systematic campaign had been launched against the missionaries.

This again provoked the BJP members to get up and rebut the charges. BJP member Shrichand Kripalani, who had earlier raised the issue of a controversial book ''Hakikat'' authored by some Christian missionaries, again alleged that the book maligned Hindu gods and hurt the sentiments of the worshippers.

However, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee did not allow him to exhibit the copy of the book in the House. Despite objection by the Speaker, Mr Kripalini and some of his party MPs resorted to slogan shouting for a while.

Both the Left and BJP members continued to trade charges against each other. Seeing the adamant attitude of both sides on the issue, the Speaker adjourned the House till 1330 hors.

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