Jharkhand assembly disrupted as BJP members continue to protest namaz room

BJP MLAs trooped into the Well of the Jharkhand assembly on Tuesday wearing saffron and chanting Jai Shri Ram and Hanuman Chalisa in protest. The MLAs are protesting the allotment of TW 348 for namaz in the assembly. It prompted a demand by the BJP for a Hanuman temple and places of worship of other religions on the premises.

Though Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahto urged the MLAs to allow the conduct of business, BJP members began their protests over the namaz room and the state's employment policy as soon as the House assembled for the day.

The members continued to chant slogans during the question hour. Subsequently, the assembly was adjourned till 12:30 pm.

"No disrespect would be tolerated to the chair. If you are angry, beat me but don't disrupt the proceedings," the Speaker told the protesting MLAs.

"Please go back to your seats....I am pained. The Chair is not a subject for mockery. Yesterday, you behaved badly...This is the question of the faith of 3.5 crore people, and your conduct gives pain," he added.

Responding to the Speaker, BJP MLA CP Singh, said that though the Business Advisory Committee had decided to take up the employment policy issue, it was changed.

"This is an emotional statement. We are also sad. Speaker is supreme in the assembly, but it hurts when we see that your behaviour is not impartial," he told Mahto.

The Speaker further asked BJP MLA Bhanu Pratap Shahi to respect the Hanuman Chalisa and not use it for political gains. May Bajrang Bali grant wisdom to the agitating MLAs, he added.

Before the start of the day, BJP MLAs sat on the stairs at the entrance and chanted Hanuman Chalisa. Deoghar MLA Narayan Das wore a garland made of belpatra.

The protests by the BJP had disrupted the assembly proceedings on Monday as well.