Paswan raises saffron terror issue in RS

Proceedings in the Rajya Sabha were disrupted briefly on Thursday when Lok Janshakti Party leader Ram Vilas Paswan demanded suspension of Question Hour to discuss the issue of rise in saffron terror in the country.

As soon as the House met for the day, Paswan stood up and wanted to know the fate of his notice for suspension of Question Hour to discuss the rise in saffron terror as pointed out by Home Minister P Chidambaram.

At a conference of chiefs of police forces on Wednesday, Chidambaram had said a new phenomenon of "saffron terrorism" involved in many bomb blasts has been uncovered. Paswan was vociferously countered by Bharatiya Janata Party members who termed him as communal and said that he was indulging in cheap politics for the sake of votes with an eye on the forthcoming Assembly elections in Bihar.

Chairman Hamid Ansari said the Question Hour will not be suspended and asked the members to take their seat.

"Please don't disturb the House. Nothing is going on record," Ansari said as noisy scenes prevailed with Paswan and his Rashtriya Janata Dal colleague Rajniti Prasad shouting at the BJP while raising the issue.

As the decibel increased, Ansari told Paswan, "You are a senior member. It is not becoming (of you). Please allow questions to be answered. This is not going on record. Your effort is being wasted."

Paswan said he should be given an opportunity to raise the issue during Zero Hour, to which Ansari said there was no Zero Hour today."You are wasting your breath," the Chairman told Paswan.

M Venkaiah Naidu (BJP) said Paswan was indulging in cheap politics. But, soon afterwards order was restored and the day's listed agenda taken up.