New Delhi, Nov 21 (IANS): The Rajya Sabha witnessed several interruptions on Monday over the issue of demonetisation, and the House was adjourned for the fifth time till 3 p.m. amidst the opposition raising provocative slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"Gali gali me shor hai, Narendra Modi chor hai (It is a public outcry, Narendra Modi is a thief)," the opposition members shouted as they gathered near the Chairman's podium.
The agitated members did not even allow Minister of State (MoS) for Railways Rajen Gohain to make a statement on the Kanpur train derailment in which over 140 people have died.
The opposition, including the Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), CPI-M and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), were on their feet raising slogans against the government as the House reassembled after lunch at 2 p.m.
Deputy Chairman P. J. Kurien pleaded with the opposition members to settle down and let Gohain make a statement on the accident.
The protesting members said that the train accident was a "serious matter" but the government was not serious about it as it had sent the MoS to make a statement on it.
"This House is not being given due importance. He (Gohain) is not a Cabinet minister. The (Railway) Minister is not busy," Congress leader Anand Sharma said, adding that Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu should have come to the House to make the statement.
"Our demand is that the Prime Minister should come before this House," Sharma said.
They said it was a very "casual approach" from the government's side.
The opposition MPs objected to the fact that the government did not even circulate the statement among the members.
The Deputy Chairman said: "There is no harm in MoS making the statement."
As the MoS Railway read his statement, the protesting members kept on shouting slogans against the government and Modi, saying "Jan virodhi Narendra Modi hosh mein aao, hosh mein aao". (Anti-people Narendra Modi come to your senses) and "Narendra Modi chor hai".
Kurien then adjourned the House till 3 p.m. saying that since the house was not in order, clarifications on the statement could be given later.