The lathicharge on BJP workers during a protest march against corruption in the national capital was on Friday strongly protested in both Houses of Parliament, with the Rajya Sabha adjourning till noon shortly after meeting for the day.
As soon as the Question Hour began in the Upper House, BJP leader M. Venkaiah Naidu raised the issue of lathicharge on Thursday during the protest march and compared it with “emergency days”.
“What happened yesterday reminds me of emergency days. Is it democracy or dictatorship? Many people were injured and brutally assaulted (in the lathicharge)...If someone protests against corruption will you beat him like this...,” he asked.
Mr. Naidu claimed that BJP’s Delhi unit president Vijender Gupta was also hit during the lathicharge.
Terming it as a serious issue, Mr. Naidu demanded a reply from Home Minister P. Chidambaram. Soon BJP members stood up and started shouting “dictatorship will not be allowed“.
Congress members Rajiv Shukla and Satyavrat Chaturvedi were also on their feet protesting the BJP leader’s remarks.
As the din continued, Chairman Hamid Ansari adjourned the House till noon and no questions could be taken up.
In the Lok Sabha, the issue was raised by senior BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain. He was supported by senior party leader L. K. Advani, who demanded a statement from the government.
However, the protesting BJP members relented in the Lower House, after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal assured them that he would convey their sentiments to the Home Minister.
