RJD resorts to violence in Lok Sabha, Prabhunath quits as MP

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

New Delhi, Aug 24 (UNI) In a shameful incident that shocked the nation and perhaps beyond, RJD members resorted to unprecedented violence in the Lok Sabha today and came close to physically assaulting JD(U) leader Prabhunath Singh, who later quit in protest.

The action and commotion, which would make Indians hang their heads in shame, produced several scenes all at a time in different places of the House, seconds after the Speaker had adjourned the proceedings. Cabinet Ministers Pranab Mukherjee (Defence), Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi and Lalu Prasad (Railways) were present.

Mr Sadhu Yadav (RJD) ran, with a raised fist, menacingly towards Mr Singh and came face-to-face, apparently to assault him for charging some Union Ministers with intervening in Bihar's internal matters. He was, however, prevented from carrying out his threat through the timely intervention of some BJP members and Mr Dasmunsi.

Another RJD member, Mr R K Rana, picked up an audio output box from the table, kept in the well of the House, and threw it back on the table. The wooden box, measuring about one-foot by half-foot, finally fell on BJP member, Mr M A Kharabela Swain.

Mr Swain later told reporters that the attack was in fact aimed at him as he had gone to the well to reason with the RJD members standing along the table that it was not the Bihar assembly, but Parliament of India, and that they better behave themselves.

Stating that he was terrified by the attack, Mr Swain maintained that he escaped getting greviously injured because of the cord attached to the audio output box, meant for Lok Sabha reporters.

It all started in the Lok Sabha after Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, having failed to persuade the unruly RJD members who were on the verge of entering the well to go back to their seats, had adjourned the proceedings for 50 minutes till 1400 hrs and left the House.

Subsequently, there was another adjournment till 1500 hrs as the Speaker was holding a meeting in his chamber with the floor leaders of the House.

Following the unprecedented scenes, the members continued to be present in the House, despite the adjournment. Mr Dasmunsi was trying to cool down Mr Sadhu Yadav, while BJP Deputy Leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra had crossed over to the treasury benches to thrash out the problem.

When the House reassembled at 1500 hrs, the Speaker condemned the incidents and warned members that none would be spared if such things recurred. He also appealed to them to enhance the dignity of the House, rather than sullying its image among the electorate.

Mr Lalu Prasad tendered an apology for the conduct of his party members, but made it clear that they were coming to the House to remain mute spectators in the face of provocative and foul language.

Editors: Pls pick up suitably from related series UNI SN VD GC1805

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