BJP opposes demand to remove death-feasts in RS

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday vociferously opposed in Rajya Sabha a demand by a Samajwadi Party member for initiating steps to remove the tradition of giving death-feast, terming it an attack on Hindu religious beliefs and demanded expunging the remark from House proceedings.

As soon as Darshan Singh Yadav (SP) through a special mention raised the issue terming the tradition a "social evil" which had no scientific base, Balbir Punj (BJP) objected to it saying every religion has its values and such a demand was an attack on sentiments of Hindus.

Deputy Leader of BJP Ravi Shankar Prasad and senior party member Najma Heptulla among others joined Punj demanding that the remarks be expunged.

Prasad said the Constitution provides respect to religious beliefs of every community and the member's remark that feast upon death was wrong and misleading was not proper.

"The House forum should not be allowed to be used for attack on religious beliefs and sentiments," he said.

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said, "We are not expected to denigrate any religion...all religions are respected...Yadav just read a statement.

When the members from BJP continued to oppose the remark, Kurien said, "Chair will re-examine it...whatever he said will be looked into."

Agreeing with the Chair, Heptulla, however demanded that in future special mentions which are submitted in writing should be seen by appropriate authorities.

"I am raising this on technical ground...This special mention should have been seen by people concerned -- Table Office," she said.