Opposition and treasury benches clashed with each other in the Rajya Sabha on Friday on the issue of alleged ill-treatment of minorities and rising communal tension in Jharkhand. While the Opposition charged the Central Government with “complacency” in dealing with the situation, the Government said it will seek a report from the State. The Opposition also demanded a probe by a Parliamentary Committee.

Members of BJP and Congress along with JD-Us engaged in a slanging match after JD-U member Ghulam Rasool Balyavi said law and order had worsened in the State following the hanging of two youths belonging to minority community last month.  Raising the issue during Zero Hour, he also said number of incidents of communal violence had also gone up and the State Government filed to take action. When Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said facts have to be ascertained about incidents, JD-U members raised a din.

leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad backed the JD-U member’s contention and said he had written a letter to the Prime Minister after the two young men were killed. He also said minorities were targeted and criticised Naqvi for making the statement about facts.  This led to an exchange of words between the two leaders.

Joining the issue, CPM leader Sitaram Yechury said there was no point in seeking a report from the State after two months and charged the Central Government with “complacency” in dealing with the situation. He then demanded a probe by a Parliamentary panel and Congress and JD-U members rushed into the well of the house demanding dismissal of the Jharkhand Government.

Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptulla also tried to assure the agitated member that she will write a letter to the State CM and inquire about the facts of the incident. JD-U leader Sharad Yadav, however, said she was treating the matter “casually”.