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World / Asia

Rajya Sabha disrupted over Rohith Vemula's suicide

Published: 24 Feb 2016 - 09:50 am | Last Updated: 10 Nov 2021 - 05:04 pm
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President Pranab Mukherjee returns to the president house in a traditional horse carriage after his address at a joint session of parliament in New Delhi, 23 February 2016. EPA

 

New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha was disrupted on Wednesday as Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati raised the issue of Rohith Vemula's suicide, blaming the central government for it.

"This is not the first time a Dalit student committed suicide," the BSP supremo said, raising the issue soon after the house met.

"Rohith Vemula was Ambedkar supporter. RSS did not like this, he was exploited," Mayawati said.

The government as well as Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien said that a debate on the issue is listed for later in the day.

The BSP leader, however, insisted that the government should respond.

BSP members then trooped near the chairman's podium raising slogans, following which the house was first adjourned for 10 minutes and then till noon.

As of February 24, the BSP has a total of 10 members in the Rajya Sabha.

IANS