BSP, BJP stall Parliament proceedings on Ambedkar issue

New Delhi, Dec 1 (UNI) The BSP and the Opposition today stalled the proceedings of Parliament, demanding the dismissal of the Uttar Pradesh government over the desecration of Babasaheb Ambedkar's statue in Kanpur, forcing adjournment of the Lok Sabha thrice and the Rajya Sabha twice in the pre-lunch sitting.

Both the Houses were adjourned twice during the question hour and the Lok Sabha for the third time, till 1400 hrs, as the BSP and the opposition, particularly the BJP, sought the imposition of President's rule in Uttar Pradesh.

The two Houses were first adjourned till 1130 hrs and then 1200 hrs on the same issue.

In the Rajya Sabha, BSP chief Mayawati demanded a CBI inquiry on the issue and said the security of all Babasaheb's statues across the country should be ensured.

She alleged that the ''real culprits'' had not been arrested, and instead a Dalit had been taken into custody.

Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat said the issue would be probed.

However, the angry BSP leader insisted that the chairman assure them that a CBI inquiry would be held.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Suresh Pachauri moved a resolution in the House condemning the statue's desecration but it could not be passed due to the din.

The Chairman then adjourned the House till 1200 hrs. Normalcy was restored in the Upper House after the question hour as the BSP members, led by Mayawati, staged a walkout.

In the Lok Sabha, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said the slogan shouting MPs were not helping the cause of either the Dalits or Parliament.

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