Left boycotts RS debate led by P J Kurien

The Left parties on Monday boycotted Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P J Kurien to protest against his presiding over the proceedings of the House when it was debating the atrocities on women and minor girls, particularly the rape of a five-year-old girl here.

As soon as Kurien assumed the Chair from E M Sudharsana Natchiappan when the House was holding an impromptu discussion on the issue, the CPI and CPM members staged a walkout.  

“Earlier in the day, we met Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Shukla to register our protest against Kurien presiding over debates on rape issues in the Rajya Sabha. We told him that we might disrupt the proceedings if Kurien is allowed to preside over such debates,” CPI leader D Raja told Express.

The Left had earlier warned that they would boycott Kurien in the Upper House till his name is cleared of all charges in the Suryanelli rape case.