Rajya Sabha disrupted over Gujarat Dalit issue

New Delhi, July 20 The Rajya Sabha faced disruptions on Wednesday as opposition members demanded a debate on atrocities against Dalits in Gujarat's Una town, where protests have continued with one Dalit committing suicide.

The Dalit who killed himself on Tuesday was among the five persons from the community who tried to take their own lives in separate incidents in Gujarat.

The issue was raised as soon as the house met, and opposition members from various parties, including the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Trinamool Congress, and the Congress said they had submitted notices for a debate.

Even as Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien was scrutinising the notices, agitated opposition members trooped near the chairman's podium, shouting slogans against the government.

Following this, the house was first adjourned for ten minutes.

When the house reassembled, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot said that Gujarat government has taken action against the culprits.

Amid sloganeering and protests from opposition, Gehlot said: "Gujarat government has taken action... FIR has been registered and action has also been taken under the act for atrocities against Dalits. Government is also providing financial assistance to the Dalit families."

The minister also said probe was ordered in the incident, and the report will come in two months.

He expressed regret on the death of the Dalit who consumed poison.

"Some people consumed poison and one of them died. This is sad. They will also be provided financial help," he said.

The minister, however, added that the issue should not be "politicised".

"I urge the members not to politicise the issue..." he said.

An unrelenting opposition, however, continued to raise slogans, standing near the chairman's podium, following which Kurien adjourned the house till 12 noon.

When the house met for question hour at 12 p.m., the scene was the same, forcing Chairman Hamid Ansari to adjourn the house first till 12.31, and then till 2 p.m.