Houses adjourned over Women's Bill

Chaos continued in both the Houses today too over Women's Reservation Bill, forcing the Speakers to adjourn the Houses till 2 p.m.

Police detain representatives of various Women's Organisations demonstrating for passing the Women's Reservation Bill outside Parliament House in New Delhi.

Samajwadi Party disrupted the Question Hour in Rajya Sabha for the second day on Tuesday demanding implementation of Ranganath Misra Commission report, leading to adjournment of the House till noon.

Soon after the House observed silence to condole deaths in the devastating earthquake in Chile, SP members were on their feet seeking to know why the report has not been implemented.

Chairman Hamid Ansari asked members to take their seats and allow Question Hour to proceed.

His pleas did not cut any ice with the SP members, who supported by those from RJD, created din. Their demand was countered by treasury benches which wanted the House to take up the Question Hour.

“Don’t indulge in behaviour unbecoming of a member,” Mr. Ansari said but the din continued.

“It seems members don’t want Question Hour to run day after day. I have no choice but to adjourn the House till 1200 hours,” he said, adjourning the House till noon.

Lok Sabha adjourned twice

Noisy scenes and vociferous protests in the Lok Sabha by opponents of the Women's Reservation Bill led to two adjournments during the Question Hour on Tuesday.

No sooner the House assembled for Question Hour than SP, RJD and JD(U) members trooped into the Well protesting against the government's move to take up the bill for consideration in the Rajya Sabha.

Speaker Meira Kumar continued with the Question Hour amid sloganeering by members of these parties who were demanding that provisions of the bill should also have quotas for Dalits, OBCs and Muslims.

As protests grew louder following SP chief Mulayam Singh, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and JD(U) President Sharad Yadav's presence in the Well, two Marshals took positions on either side of the Speaker's table to prevent any unruly incident.

Mulayam Singh Yadav was seen having a word with Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

With members showing no signs of relenting, the Speaker adjourned the proceedings for 15 minutes and called leaders of all parties for a meeting.

As protests continued when the House met again , the Speaker adjourned the proceedings till noon.