New Delhi, Dec 27 (IANS) The Lok Sabha was on Thursday adjourned till 2 p.m. as the Opposition created ruckus in support of their various demands, including a JPC probe into Rafale fighter jet deal and special status to Andhra Pradesh.
Soon after the House reassembled at noon after the first adjournment, the Congress, AIADMK and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) members trooped near the Speaker's podium and started sloganeering.
Speaker Sumitra Mahajan urged the agitating members to allow the Zero Hour to progress but the members continued with their protests.
Amid the din, she asked Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge to speak.
Earlier, during the Question Hour, she did not allow Kharge to speak when he wanted to say something on Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) and the procurement of Rafale fighter jets.
However, when the proceedings of the House began again after the first adjournment, Kharge was not present in the House.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) member Bhagwant Mann was then allowed to speak. He requested the House to express condolences over the death of the four sons of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh Guru, in the 17th century and asked thadt their sacrifice be remembered as is done in the last week of December every year.
Congress member Ranjeet Ranjan, the Shiromani Akali Dal's Prem Singh Chandumajra and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member S.S. Ahluwalia also raised the issue, requesting the House to maintain two minutes' silence.
Mahajan expressed condolences on behalf of the House, and said: "This is not related to Sikhism or any particular religion. Two of Guru Gobind Singh's younger sons sacrificed their lives at the age of six and four years. The country will never forget their sacrifice."
She then allowed to continue proceedings and the official papers were tabled amid the din.
The Congress members were demanding a JPC probe in the deal for 36 ready-to-fly Rafale fighter jets, while the AIADMK members demanded withdrawal of the proposal to construct a dam across the Cauvery river at Mekedatu.
The TDP raised several issues related to their demand for special status for Andhra Pradesh.
Samajwadi Party member Dharmendra Yadav raised the reservation issue but left the House when he was not given more than one minute to speak.
Mahajan tried to conduct the legislative business but the members continued their protest, forcing her to adjourn the House till 2 p.m.
Earlier, the House was adjourned till noon.
When the House met for Question Hour, opposition members from the Congress and the TDP trooped near the Speaker's podium shouting anti-government slogans.
During the pandemonium, Mahajan warned the protesting members on more than three occasions that she would name them if they did not return to their seats.
"I am requesting all of you. I want justice for all. I will name all of you in the well. I will allow you after Question Hour. Please go back to your seats," Mahajan said.
