40 people are murdering democracy, says angry Lok Sabha Speaker

Unabated uproar by Congress members in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday invited the wrath of Speaker Sumitra Mahajan who called their protests "murder of democracy" and "hijacking" the rights of 440 members by 40-50 others in the Opposition.

Mahajan also asked the Lok Sabha TV, which broadcasts live proceedings of the House, to show the "irresponsible" opposition members so that the whole country could see their behaviour.

The Speaker's angry response came as protesting members intensified their slogan-shouting in the Well and the Chair refused to adjourn the House and deciding to continue with the work.

Many Congress members were seen raising placards close to the Speaker's podium so that they could be seen on camera, prompting Parliamentary Affairs Ministry M Venkaiah Naidu to launch an attack on the main opposition party Congress, before Mahajan too spoke against it.

"What is this happening? 20 people cannot dictate the entire House. Let action be taken. What kind of tamasha is this? They go to the Speaker's house to protest and are now showing placards on the face of the Speaker," Naidu said as Congress members raised slogans on their demands.

Naidu's response came after BJP veteran L K Advani was too seen expressing concern over the disruptions to Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Naidu.

Congress is insisting that it would not allow Parliament to function till action is taken against External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and BJP chief ministers Vasundhara Raje and Shivraj Singh Chouhan for their alleged role in Lalit Modi and Vyapam controversies.

As Naidu spoke, Mahajan lamented "what can be done" before attacking the protesting members, some of whom were apparently urging her to adjourn the House.

"Show them on TV. I am requesting the Lok Sabha TV. This is not the way. I won't adjourn the House... Let people see what kind of behaviour they are showing. Let whole of India watch. 40 people are hijacking the rights of 440 members.

"This is murder of democracy. This is not democracy. 440 members want to talk and 40-50 members are not letting them. Let people know how irresponsible they are. The Chair has no wish of being seen on the TV. Let people watch them," she said.

Notwithstanding the pandemonium, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan continued with the Question Hour amidst the din of slogan-shouting by Congress members who were in the Well. Left members joined the Congress in the anti-government protest.

Samajwadi Party members, along with those from the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Janata Dal-United, also stormed the Well demanding release of caste census data.

As unrelenting Opposition members continued the protests, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu said the government was ready to discuss all issues.

He said the Lalit Modi controversy and the opposition demand for External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's resignation raised by the Opposition "is just an excuse, they want to stop GST Bill."

The Congress has also been demanding the resignation of Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on the same issue and that of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan over the Vyapam scam.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi was also seen joining party colleagues in raising slogans from his seat and thumping desks.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi and SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, who had differed with the Congress party about its protests in the House, were seen chatting before start of the proceedings.