SGPC issue: 'Q' Hour washed out in both Houses

New Delhi: Both Houses of Parliament on Thursday witnessed noisy scenes over the proposed formation of a separate Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) in Haryana, leading to washing out of Question Hours in the two.

The Lok Sabha witnessed two adjournments -- one till 1130 hrs and the second till 1200 hrs, while the Upper House was adjourned once till 1200 hrs.

Soon after the day's proceedings began in the Lower House, Akali Dal Members raised a din over the issue.

The Akali Members wanted suspension of the Question Hour and a discussion on the matter which they said "concerned the minorities".

BJP Members also stood on their feet and supported their demand. They were later supported by the JD(U) and the CPI(M). Basudeb Acharia of the CPI(M) asked the Government to make a reply on the issue.

Pumped up Akali Dal Members, led by Rattan Singh Ajnala, rushed to the well of the House to protest and press for their demand.

Speaker Meira Kumar tried to reason with them that there was no provision of suspension of the Question Hour, but adamant Akalis continued with their protest.

The Akalis said the proposal to form a separate SGPC in Haryana by the Congress Government there was in contravention of the Sikh tradition.

"How could there be two separate religious bodies for the Sikh community, when there is already one in Punjab."

Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee rose angrily and shouted back at the Opposition, but could not be heard due to the din. With no one to heed, he sat down with his face red in anger. When after repeated requests by the Speaker, Members failed to heed her request to "let the House function" and "raise the issue during Zero Hour", Ms Kumar adjourned the House till 1130 hrs.

Noisy scenes were also witnessed in the Rajya Sabha over the issue.

As soon as the House began proceedings in the Question Hour, after oath of affirmation to nine Members, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the House S S Ahluwalia demanded a discussion or a clarification on the reported proposal to form a separate SGPC for Haryana by the Congress Government there.

All the BJP Members in the House also stood up to demand a clarification from the Government on the issue.

Chairman Hamid Ansari's pleas to the Members to allow the Question Hour to proceed and take up the matter during Zero Hour fell on deaf ears as the Members persisted with their demand, raising slogans like SGPC todna nahi chalega (bifurcation of the SGPC will not be tolerated).

Amid the din, the Chair adjourned the House till 1200 hrs.

"The Haryana government is adamant on creating a separate SGPC which is against the sentiments of Sikhs and the country. I urge the Prime Minister - who is also a Sikh - to tell the House that this legislation cannot be possible" — BJP leader SS Ahluwalia to CNN-IBN

"The Haryana government trying to divide Akalis. The Centre should intervene. A law enabling Haryana to have an independent Prabandhak Committee has the SGPC up in arms. Ahead of Assembly polls, this issue will hot up" — Bhatinda MP, Simran Kaur to CNN-IBN

"I am ready for a referendum on this matter. I don't want to intervence in the matter of Haryana Sikhs. But whatever comes out of the referedum, I will go by that. I have only given an assurance that I will get the Chadda committee report examined and go by whatever is the final recommendation" — Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda