Shekhawat reprimands RS Members over use of word 'chor'

New Delhi, Mar 1 (UNI) The use of word 'chor' (thief) by Members in the Rajya Sabha during protests over the Quattrocchi issue today evoked strong reaction from Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat who expressed anguish over the fall Parliamentary norms have seen.

''Yeh chor ka sawal kahan se paida ho gaya hai. Yeh Parliament ki bhasha nahin hai,''(Why are you using this word 'chor'. This is not a Parliamentary langauge,'' he told BJP members who had first used the word.

Later, the House witnessed similar kind of retort from some Congress members too.

Rising up in his seat, he said the Members should always mind the language they were using in the House and maintain its dignity.

The Chairman's remarks came as the NDA, led by the BJP, continued using the word despite his repeated appeal to calm down and discuss the issue after the Question Hour.

The Members were demanding an explanation from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was present in the House, over ''his silence over the issue in the House but speaking to the media later outside Parliament.'' UNI