CPM office clash issue rocks Rajya Sabha

New Delhi, Mar 10 (UNI) Rajya Sabha plunged into turmoil after the Question Hour today on the issue of clashes at the CPM office here yesterday, between Left Front and RSS workers, with members of the ruling UPA and opposition NDA trading charges amid noisy protests and counter-protests.

The House which was adjourned for 30 minutes after the Question Hour on the issue, plunged into chaos with the Opposition BJP raising the issue of ''murderous assaults'' on its workers in Kerala by Left Front activists.

This was vociferously protested against by Left Front and Congress members who said the notice had been given over the Delhi incident and not Kerala. However, the BJP said Kerala incidents were the root cause of the Delhi violence and were connected.

As the House assembled at 1240 Hrs after the 30-minute adjournment, CPM leader Sitaram Yechury spoke on the issue, calling it an attack on democracy, the constitution and the copuntry's secular ethos.

Describing it as an ''act of terrorism'' by RSS workers, he said similar action had ''consumed the life'' of Mahatma Gandhi 60 years ago.

''It is the similar type of fascist intolerance which is the anti-thesis of democracy and cannot be tolerated...This cannot be treated as violence against us. It is a general attack on the country's secular ethos and democracy,'' he said.

Mr Yechury tried to draw a parallel between Muslim League which was responsible for the country's partition, and the RSS which was demanding a Hindu Rashtra. This was anti-thesis of secular democracy.

He wanted to know from the government the action taken against the culprits.

BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu raised the issue of Left Front attacks on BJP workers in Kerala alleging that many workers has been killed and BJP officers ransacked and burned.

He attacked the Left Front for aligning with Muslim League in Kerala for government formation and even having a Muslim league Minister.

The House witnessed noisy protests when Mr Naidu cited certain instances of Left Front attacks on BJP workers in the state.

However, Mr Naidu persisted and said a parallel had to be drawn because Kerala incidents were the root cause of the Delhi clashes.

Many members objected saying a notice had been given only for discussion on the Delhi clashes. However, the BJP members said they had also given notice for Kerala incidents.

The ruckus continued for about 45 minutes.

Deputy Chairman Rahman Khan who tried to pacify the agitated members without any success, said the Delhi incident was under the purview of the Union Home Ministry while the Kerala incidents were a law and order prolem and therefore, a state subject.

That is why the House was discussing the Delhi issue, he said.

Mr Naidu also cited the example issue of Nandigram violence which rocked both Houses in the previous sessions.

He accused the police of not registering copmplaints of RSS workers and said police should act after complaints of both sides were registered.

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