New Delhi, Mar 13 (Agency) Amid ruckus in Parliament over the issue of Rahul Gandhi’s comments in London, both Houses have been adjourned till tomorrow. The second leg of the Budget Session started on a stormy note, as the two Houses witnessed adjournment following uproar over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks in London on democracy in India. In the Lok Sabha when the House met on Monday morning, treasury bench members started sloganeering against Rahul Gandhi. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh raised the issue alleging that Mr. Gandhi, who is a member of this House, insulted India by his comments. “Rahul Gandhi, who is a member of this House, insulted India in London. I demand that his statements should be condemned by all members of this House, and he should be asked to apologise before the House” he said. Echoing similar views, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said the Congress leader had asked US and Europe to intervene in India’s matter, which is condemnable. He said it was the Congress party which had imposed an emergency in the country. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hit back at the government for raising Rahul Gandhi’s democracy remarks in Parliament, saying those “crushing” democracy are talking of saving it.
He also dubbed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “dictator”. Kharge took out a protest march from Parliament House complex to Vijay Chowk along with MPs of other opposition parties, including those of the BRS, Left parties and AAP, after the BJP launched an offensive against Gandhi for allegedly defaming India by his remarks on democracy and demanded an apology from him. Amid slogans and counter slogans between treasury and opposition bench members, Speaker Om Birla said the world accepts that Indian democracy is strong enough. He repeatedly urged the protesting members for order in the House but in vain. Later, the House was adjourned till 2 PM. Similar scene was witnessed in the Rajya Sabha as well, The Leader of the House Piyush Goyal raised the issue saying the Congress leader has insulted Indian democracy, judiciary, army and press by his comments. He also demanded an apology from Mr. Gandhi. Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge objected to Mr. Goyal’s statement saying that the world knows the situation in India. He alleged that India is not functioning as per the constitution. Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, meanwhile, stated, “(I have) never stopped anyone from speaking in the House.” Gandhi, while speaking at the British Parliament last week, had claimed that the mics of the Opposition leaders were silenced in the Indian Parliament. Earlier, the two Houses paid obituary references to former members who passed away recently.