Turmoil in RS over Gujarat fake encounter case

New Delhi, May 3: The Gujarat fake encounter issue found its echo in Rajya Sabha today when the Samajwadi Party demanded a discussion on the matter and suspension of the Question Hour.

BJP members tried to counter by raising the matter of Nandigram killings.

The House witnessed pandemonium for about 15 minutes. However, after the protests and counter-protests stopped, the Question Hour was resumed.

After the House assembled for the Question Hour, noted litterateur Dr Kapila Vatsayan (nominated) took oath as the new member.

However, immediately after, Mr Shahid Siddiqui got up and demanded a discussion on the Gujarat issue and suspension of the Question Hour.

BJP members, led by Mr Rudranarayan Pany, tried to shout him down by raising the Nandigram issue. Both the members marched into the well of the House.

Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, however, refused to suspend the Question Hour asking the members to come to his chamber and give a notice for the discussion.

The noise continued for about 10 minutes after which the Question Hour resumed.

As Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Mani Shankar Aiyer stood to answer a Question pertaining to his Ministry, BJP member Yashwant Sinha wanted to know whether the Minister was ''speaking on behalf of the government'' as he had openly opposed the government recently.

However, the Chairman ignored Mr Sinha's objections.

UNI