NEW DELHI: The desecration of B.R. Ambedkar's statue in Kanpur rocked Parliament on Friday with both Houses witnessing frequent adjournments following repeated clashes between the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP).

In the Lok Sabha, Congress MPs backed BSP members in seeking the dismissal of the U.P. Government and imposition of President's rule.

After forcing repeated adjournments in both Houses to press for a CBI probe, the BSP members walked out.

Desecration condemned

In the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State Suresh Pachauri moved a resolution on behalf of the Government condemning Wednesday's incident, and appealed to all sections of society to maintain "peace and harmony." Describing the incident as "unfortunate," he said the Government was ready for a full discussion.

The Government's response came after BSP leader Mayawati repeatedly rushed into the well seeking a CBI probe. She wanted a resolution moved on the incident, and sought an assurance from the Government that it would protect all Ambedkar statues. Countering her, SP members raised slogans, and said the inquiry should include desecration of statutes in other parts of the country as well.

As soon as both Houses assembled, the BSP members demanded the suspension of question hour and a discussion on the incident, which created a law and order problem in Maharashtra and other partsof the country.

Question hour lost

Despite Rajya Sabha Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat's assurance of a CBI probe, Ms. Mayawati continued her protests. Question hour was lost in the furore.

In the Lok Sabha, BSP member Brajesh Pathak's demand for a CBI probe and a discussion on the increasing atrocities on Dalits evoked a sharp response from Ramji Lal Suman (SP) and others, leading to an adjournment.

When the House reassembled after 20 minutes, Mr. Pathak again sought suspension of question hour. Speaker Somnath Chatterjee's repeated requests to the members to allow the House to conduct business went unheeded.

Mr. Chatterjee pointed out that Dr. Ambedkar, who wrote the Constitution, made Parliament supreme and laid down that the House should commence with question hour. "By indulging in such behaviour, you are not showing respect to Dr. Ambedkar."

In no mood to relent, the BSP members shouted slogans and trooped into the well, resulting in another adjournment. The situation did not change when the House met again at noon, and it was adjourned yet again till 2 p.m. Similar scenes were witnessed when the House met again. Krishna Tirath, who was in the Chair, adjourned it.

When it met again, the House was adjourned for the day for lack of quorum after the BSP members walked out in protest against the Government not conceding their demand.

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