The Congress-led opposition in Lok Sabha today walked out of the House in protest against the terror attack in Nagrota of Jammu and Kashmir and the demonetisation issue.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present in the Lok Sabha when opposition walked out of the House.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi said that the Parliament must pay obituary to soldiers killed in terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
"It is the tradition in Parliament that we pay our obituary to soldiers killed in an operation. It is the first time the government has not paid its respects to the country's martyrs, hence we walked out of the House along with some Opposition parties," he told reporters outside Parliament.
Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said that as the Nagrota operation is still continuing and a detailed report has not come, ‘so tribute can’t be not be paid at this time’.
Despite the din, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan attempted to conduct the question hour, but following repeated disruptions by the opposition members, she finally adjourned the House till 12 noon.
When the House met at 12 noon, the situation was no different, forcing the Chair to adjourn the proceedings for another 45 minutes. She later adjourned the House for the day.
Speaking on the floor of the House, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said that the government was ready for a discussion on the two issues.
“If Opposition agrees for a discussion, government is ready for a debate on all aspects,” Kumar said.
Speaking to reporter outside the Parliament, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu said that ‘the Speaker informed that the combing operations were underway in Nagrota and that once it was over, tribute would be paid in the House to the soldiers’.
“But the Congress party walked out during question hour, and then came back. It is not clear why the Congress walked out despite the Prime Minister’s presence in the House. This is unfortunate. People of the nation hate such small politics,” he said.
“Congress neither wants any discussion nor wants House to function as they are scared of being exposed. It's an insult to Nagrota martyrs,” he added.
On the other hand, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2pm following uproar by the opposition demanding obituary references to the officers and soldiers killed in Tuesday's Nagrota terror attack.
They also demanded obituary reference to all the people who died standing in bank queues after demonetisation.
Soon after the Upper House met, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad demanded the obituary reference to seven army men, including two officers, who died during the terror attack on an army camp at Nagrota near Jammu.
Azad was joined by BSP leader Mayawati, JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav and Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav. The opposition also gave two notices under Rule 267 for short discussion on demonetisation and the situation at the international border with Pakistan.
The opposition created a ruckus and rushed to the Chairman's podium.
Leader of the House Arun Jaitley assured the opposition that the government was ready to discuss both issues, but the din did not end.
Both the Houses of the Parliament have failed to transact any business since during the ongoing Winter Session.
