Saraswati invocation echoes in AP House

Raising the issue while initiating debate under Rule 304 on 8220;irregularities in intermediate supplementary examinations,8221; Balreddy denounced attempts to denigrate the inspiring prayer in praise of the goddess of learning and said it was unfortunate that State Education Minister Pratibha Bharati had led the attack on the prayer at the New Delhi conference.

The House instantly plunged into an uproar as all the Opposition members sprang to their feet and dubbed the prayer as anaffront on secular fabric of the country.

Treasury benches sought to take credit for being in the forefront to oppose the controversial prayer, while Congress, CPI, CPI M and Majlis Parties targeted their ire at Balreddy for raising the issue at an inappropriate forum.

Amidst heated exchanges, Opposition leaders accused BJP-led coalition of trying to vitiate the secular atmosphere and communalise education. They also raised slogans in favour of preserving secularism. After a 30-minute din and display of frayed tempers, deputy speaker Mohammed Farooq suspended the debate and directed the education minister to convene a meeting with members in her chambers to take up the listed subject.