New Delhi, March 5 (IANS): Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) leader Hanuman Beniwal's remarks linking Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi to coronavirus (COVID-19) spread in the country led to heated protests from the opposition benches and adjournment of the Lok Sabha till 2 p.m. on Thursday.

The development took place during the course of suggestions from members of the House following the Health Minister's statement on coronavirus in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.

Members across the political spectrum offered suggestions on ways to curb the menace of coronavirus in India. Members who spoke on the matter included Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party.

During the course of his speech in the House, referring to the 'Italy angle' in the coronavirus, Hanuman Beniwal alluded to Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. The Congress members in trhe House immediately rose in protest following which the House was adjourned to 2 p.m.

Italy has emerged as one of the hotspots for the coronavirus, with 3,089 confirmed cases and 107 deaths so far. In India too, 16 Italian nationals have been confirmed as being infected.