Bedlam prevailed in the Lok Sabha leading to an adjournment on Wednesday over the alleged harassment of BSP MP Rama Shankar Rajbhar within the precincts of Parliament by the Special Protection Group (SPG) responsible for Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s security. Apologising for the incident, Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee promised to bring in an institutional arrangement to prevent a repeat of such incidents.
Mr Mukherjee said, “I apologise for the incident. I express my regret. I agree. You are right that within this Parliament, members are equal. I am speaking on behalf of the government.” Promising to put in place an institutional arrangement, Mr Mukherjee said, “I am not speaking individually as Pranab Mukherjee but I am speaking for the government.”
Earlier, members of BSP and SP trooped into the well of the house demanding a probe into the incident and action against the SPG officer. Dara Singh Chauhan of the BSP said that Parliamentarians were being subjected to insults everyday. He said, “It is an insult to this august house. Are not we all equal in this house.” As the scene became unruly, deputy speaker Mr Kariya Munda adjourned the house till 2 PM. At the start of the house proceedings, members belonging to the TDP and Left rushed into the well demanding a better Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy, cotton and jute.