The Rajya Sabha on Thursday saw a clash between the Centre and the Opposition over the presence of Bharatiya Janata Party leader VK Singh in the House. Members of the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Congress demanded Singh’s dismissal from the government due to his controversial remarks comparing the killings of Dalit children in Haryana to a dog being pelted with stones. They said he had violated the Constitution.

Parliamentary affairs minister M Venkaiah Naidu rushed to the House to defuse the situation and asserted that Singh will not leave, reported PTI. He also accused the protesting members of Parliament of playing caste politics. As tempers flared, the Deputy Chairman said it was not for the Chair but for the court to decide who violated the Constitution and who did not. The House had to be adjourned twice due to the uproar.

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Union minister Rajyavardhan Rathore criticised the Opposition for walking out while the government was replying to the intolerance debate in the Lok Sabha. He said people should understand whether the matter has been raised for discussion or obstruction. The minister of state for Information and Broadcasting said that the government is trying to reach out to all parties so that work can be done during the winter session “leaving aside personal egos”.

Law minister DV Sadananda Gowda introduced in the Lok Sabha a bill aimed at amending a law on arbitration for the speedy settlement of high-value business disputes, reported PTI. The bill was opposed by Trinamool Congress members over some of its clauses.

The Parliament also remembered the victims of Bhopal gas tragedy on its 31st anniversary. Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari said the man-made tragedy of “unparalleled magnitude” continues to haunt the victims. He also asked for stricter regulations to prevent such tragedies. Members of both Houses expressed their empathy and support to the victims, and stood in silence for a short while.