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Noisy scenes were witnessed in the Karnataka legislative assembly with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party stalling proceedings in the pre-lunch session, protesting against a circular branding the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh and the Dalit Sangharsha Samithi as 'terrorist and anti-social outfits'.
The opposition BJP, which sought to move an adjournment motion on the issue, resorted to brief dharna twice in the house. Amid rumpus created over the matter, Speaker M V Venkatappa adjourned the house for a brief spell and later for lunch recess.
As soon as the house assembled for the day, opposition BJP leader Jagadish Shettar sought to move an adjournment motion questioning the government on issue of a circular by the intelligence wing of police to take preventive measures against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, Muslim League, the RSS and the DSS, apprehending that they might create unrest during the Independence Day celebrations.
Shettar was seen protesting against the circular branding the RSS as a terrorist outfit and went on to outline the organisation's patriotic credentials.
His remarks on the RSS drew flak from the treasury benches.
Minister for Law and Parlimentary affairs D B Chandre Gowda objected to Shettar turning the legislative assembly forum into a 'platform to propagate RSS ideologies'.
The House plunged into a din with ruling party members supporting the government and opposition BJP taking exception to Gowda's remarks.
BJP members trooped into the well and staged a dharna, demanding that Gowda withdraw his remarks and the chair expunge them. They continued their protest despite Home Minister M Mallikarjuna Kharge saying that government was willing to reply to the debate.
The Speaker adjourned the House for about 20 minutes and held discussions in his chambers to defuse the situation.
When the House reassembled, Ventkappa announced that it had been decided to take up the issue for debate under another rule.
When Shettar continued to outline the contribution of the RSS, the Congress again objected to it, leading to noisy scenes.
With Congress members repeatedly interrupting Shettar, the Chair adjourned the house for lunch 30 minutes ahead of schedule.
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