Both houses of parliament adjourned after demonetisation protests

Both houses of Parliament were adjourned till noon amid loud protests over the government’s demonetisation move.

Soon after the Lok Sabha met, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan congratulated the medal winners of the Rio Olympics and Paralympics games.

As she proceeded for the question hour, Leader of the Congress Mallikarjun Kharge sought discussion on demonetisation under Rule 56 that which entails voting after discussion.

“People are suffering after demonetisation. We have given notices of adjournment. So accept it and begin discussion under Rule 56,” Kharge said.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said people were with the government in this step.

“The government is ready to discuss it. People of the country are with Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetisation,” Kumar said.

As the opposition members created a ruckus, Mahajan adjourned the house till 12 noon.

The Rajya Sabha was also adjourned twice — first till 11.30 a.m. and then till noon.

Opposition MPs assembled near the Chairman’s podium raising slogans against the government.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi sought an apology from the Congress’ Ghulam Nabi Azad for comparing the deaths of soldiers in the Uri terror attack with that of people standing in queues outside banks and ATMs post demonetisation.