The Rajya Sabha could not function for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday amid protests by the Opposition especially, SP, BSP, RJD and CPI over the roster system for reservation in universities.
Union Human Resource Development Prakash Javadekar tried to assure the Elders that the Government was committed to reservation of Scheduled Castes(SC) and Scheduled Tribes(ST) and will file a review petition in the court but the agitated
members were not satisfied and raised a din demanding an ordinance.
The proceedings were disrupted despite Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu in the morning session urging the Elders to let the house function and begin discussion on the motion of thanks on the President’s address but of no avail. In fact, he briefly adjourned the house for ten minutes after the house met for the day to build a consensus and even allowed a brief discussion on the sensitive issue.
The house was adjourned till after lunch till two pm after the Opposition members protested against Javadekar’s reply.
Same scenes were witnessed when the house met again in post-lunch session and Naidu then adjourned the proceedings for the day.
Speaking in the morning session, SP leader Ramgopal Yadav demanded that the Government introduce a bill to protect the interest of SC, ST and Other Backward Castes (OBC). He said the 13-point roster system now brought saw at least 13 universities brining out at advertisements seeking applications for 706 posts.
Out of these, 18 were reserved for SC, 57 for OBC and rest for general categories while no post was reserved for ST candidates and could affect the prospects of OBC, SC and ST candidates.
He also claimed that the Government did not put up the case in the apex court properly. Similar sentiments were echoed by BSP leader Satish Mishra and CPI member Binoy Viswam. While replying on the issue, Javadekar said, “We are fully committed towards reservation.
We will ensure they are not affected.” The Minister said the Government will soon file a review petition in the apex court on this issue and expressed confidence of getting a favourable judgement.
However, Opposition members were not satisfied with the Minister’s reply and were on their feet protesting, forcing Naidu to adjourn the House till 2 pm.
As soon as the House resumed proceedings at two pm, Naidu asked members to begin the discussion on motion of thanks on the President’s address to Parliament. However, the Opposition members sought a discussion on the issue of roster system under Rule 267.
The rule provides that all business of the House is suspended for taking up discussion on a particular issue.
When the Chairman did not relent, opposition members—RJD, SP, BSP, TMC and Congress—trooped into the well protesting over introduction of roster system in educational institutions, which they claim limits the scope of reservation for jobs. They also raised slogans forcing the Chairman to adjourn the house for the day.