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Question hour yields way to spat over Hindi

Question hour in Lok Sabha was disrupted for about 20 minutes today following sharp exchanges between pro-Hindi and anti-Hindi protagonists.

It all started when Minister of State for Agriculture Sompal replied in English to a question from Laloo Prasad Yadav. The latter, who had asked his question in Hindi, wanted the minister to reply in Hindi.

This was objected to by MDM leader Vaiko -- aka V Gopalaswamy -- who said Hindi should not be ''imposed'' on them. He was supported by other All India Anna DMK members.

However, the DMK members did not see any reason for the protest and supported Laloo Yadav.

Amid heated exchanges, Vaiko was heard saying, ''this is India and not Bihar.'' This infuriated Yadav who suddenly rushed to the well with his followers. DMK members too trooped into the well.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Madan Lal Khurana then rushed to the podium to calm down Yadav and his followers.

The matter ended with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee appealing to the members not to raise any ''language controversy in the House.''

Members were free to speak in any language, he said.

UNI

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