Opp stalls House over Savarkar ‘insult’

Mukherjee’s statement came after Opposition members sought an apology from Aiyar on the issue.

Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned for more than 40 minutes as Shiv Sena members shouted anti-government slogans, stormed the Well and had heated exchanges with RJD, CPI and CPI(M) members.

The entire Opposition staged a walkout, condemning the Government and the Congress, after the Lok Sabha reassembled at noon. The Defence Minister said the Government was not aware of the instructions issued by the Petroleum Minister and would ascertain the facts. He urged Opposition members to allow normal proceedings until then.

Angry Opposition members shouted slogans as they trooped into the Well.

Shiv Sena leader Anant Geete said Savarkar was in the forefront of the freedom struggle and sought to know why Aiyar had issued instruction for removal of Savarkar’s ‘‘thoughts’’ from the memorial. ‘‘It’s not only an insult to Savarkar but to the community of freedom fighters and to the country,’’ he said. RJD and RPI MPs retorted, saying Aiyar had done the right thing as Savarkar was involved with the killers of Gandhiji.

RAJYA SABHA

Shiv Sena MP, Sanjay Nirupam today held the Rajya Sabha to ransom, ensuring the House could not conduct any business in the first half of the day.

For nearly 30 minutes, Nirupam showed his vocal prowess, demanding a discussion on the removal of the Veer Savarkar plaque from the memorial outside the Cellular Jail at Port Blair before the House was adjourned.

In the process, what got left out included special mentions to be taken in that Hour. The subjects ranged from starvation deaths, drought relief for

Kerala, request to close loss-making railway routes, plight of weavers in Orissa and serving of sub-standard mid-day meals in Chhattisgarh. Instead, there was slogan-shouting, a heated exchange with the Left and the Congress, and storming the Well of the House.

Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat was adamant he would not adjourn the House for the first 15 minutes of the pandemonium and kept requesting Nirupam to sit down. ‘‘I have refused permission to you when we had the discussion in my chamber. Now I will not allow you,’’ he kept saying.

The Shiv Sena has issued directions to their MPs to raise the issue in the House. ‘‘There are people in Maharashtra who will still lay their lives for the great Veer Savarkar. If the minister does not tender an apology, it can become a law and order issue,’’ said Nirupam told The Indian Express.

In the end, he had his way as Shekhawat allowed the issue to be raised officially tomorrow after which the Government will be asked to clarify.