LUCKNOW: The demands for the arrest of union minister Ram shankar Katheria over his alleged inflammatory speech in Agra found an echo in the UP Assembly today leading to the adjournment of the House for some 40 minutes.
Pradip Mathur of Congress raised the issue through an adjournment notice in the Zero Hour and demanded the arrest of Katheria.
The mention of Katheria's name was contested by BJP and members of both the parties shouted slogans against each other and trooped into the Well of the House.
The BJP members protested before the Speaker's chair alleging that BJP and VHP leaders and workers were being harassed.
Speaker Mata Prasad Pandey said since Katheria is not a member of the House, his name should not be mentioned and when his repeated efforts to make the members return to their seats failed ,the House was adjourned for 40 minutes in phases.
When the House reassembled, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Azam Khan said no one can be allowed to spoil communal amity by issuing inflammatory statements.
The minister said that action was being taken in connection with the "inflammatory" speech issue but no central minister can be arrested.
Leader of opposition, Swami Prasad Maurya, through another adjournment notice, raised the matter of alleged demotion of dalit officers and employees and alleged that even those who had not got promotion against reservation in promotion have been demoted.
Maurya claimed that some 20 thousand officers and employees have been demoted and the seniority list of 2.75 lakhs has been affected .
Azam Khan assured that government will get this issue legally examined and proper action taken. But this failed to satisfy BSP members who staged a walkout.