The government appeared determined to push through the bill providing reservation in promotions for SC/ST government employees in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday despite the tumult in the House when it was introduced on Wednesday.
An unprecedented scuffle erupted between BSP member Avatar Singh Karimpuri and Samajwadi MP Naresh Agrawal, but the Congress was undeterred, and issued a whip to its members on Wednesday itself to be present in the House and vote for it on Thursday.
Parliamentary affairs minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said: “The government will bring the bill for SC/ST reservation in promotions in the Rajya Sabha tomorrow.”
The minister added: “The government is clear that there should be reservation in promotions up to 22.5 per cent for SCs and STs in government jobs.”
Asked if it was possible to pass the bill in the remaining two days of the current Monsoon Session, Mr Bansal said: “We do want to pass the bill. We also issued a whip to our members. We will try for the passage of the bill again tomorrow. We are listing it again.”
Earlier in the day, when the bill was brought in the Rajya Sabha for introduction, Samajwadi members were on their feet protesting against the move. They started to object even before the Chair asked minister of state for personnel V. Narayanasamy to introduce the bill as they had seen the matter listed.
Mr Agrawal then proceeded towards the well but he was stopped by BSP member Avatar Singh Karimpuri, who grabbed him by his collar. This led to pushing and jostling between the two MPs.
House marshals soon rushed in as tempers ran high. The scuffle continued for a few minutes before Mr Karimpuri was finally made to take his seat with even other BSP members intervening to hold back their fellow party member.
Mr Agrawal, along with five other SP members, stormed into the well shouting that quotas in promotion would not be allowed. The SP member, who was attempting to reach the Chair apparently to snatch papers from deputy chairperson P.J. Kurien, was prevented from doing so by the marshals.
Amid the high drama, Mr Narayanasamy introduced the bill, which was welcomed by BSP members, including party supremo Mayawati, with the thumping of desks. Soon after that the House was adjourned for the day.