Hindustan Times



BJP MLAs disrupt Buddhist meet over sale of objectionable books THE BJP MLAs today disrupted the international Buddhist convention here and allegedly manhandled Home Minister Mahendra Baudh to protest against the sale of some books depicting Hindu gods and goddesses in poor light. Their grouse was the sentiments of Hindus were being hurt under the garb of the convention. Baudh, alleged the BJP had planted the book on the Assembly premises to disrupt the peaceful meeting. The BJP MLAs raised the matter in the Assembly soon after the House assembled for the post-lunch session and demanded immediate discussion. However, Leader of Opposition Babulal Gaur pacified his MLAs and made them agree to a discussion under adjournment motion on Monday. They demanded Baudh's resignation for causing affront to Hindu gods and goddesses. Upon learning some defamatory books were up for sale at the Assembly Vidhan Parishad Hall -- the venue of convention -- BJP MLA Karan Singh Verma purchased the books and showed them to Gaur. Other MLAs also entered the Hall and threw away the books. They reached the dais, raised slogans against Baudh and manhandled him. Baudh's supporters and marshals intervened to get the Minister freed from the clutches of BJP MLAs. Soon it turned into a shouting match. While the BJP MLAs shouted slogans against Baudh, the Minister's supporters replied by shouting slogans against the BJP and against the alleged Manuvad shouting 'Brahmanwaad Murdabad'. Later, Gaur told reporters in his chamber that the books 'Ramayan Ke Mahapatra', 'Mahabharat Ke Mahapatra' and others were highly objectionable to Hindus' sentiments and cited some contents. Gaur said the State Government had sanctioned Rs 10 lakh for the convention in its second supplementary budget demand this week. Moreover, holding the convention on the Assembly premises was undesirable, he said, adding Baudh was the head of the organisation committee. The convention, opened by Chief Minister Digvijay Singh, should not hurt the sentiments of any particular community, he added. When agitated BJP MLAs demanded a discussion under adjournment motion, Nitya Niranjan Khamparia, who was in the chair, asked the members to proceed with the Private Members' Resolutions. When the MLAs kept repeating their demand. Gaur asked them to take their seat and assured them he would request the Speaker to take up the matter through adjournment motion on Monday. Meanwhile, talking to reporters, Baudh alleged the BJP had conspired to disrupt the Buddhist convention. because they could not stomach its success as scores of delegates from SriLanka, Singapore and several other countries were attending it. He regretted BJP MLAs had created a ruckus while the convention was in progress. Baudh could not reply to a question about the identity of the stall owner, who was from Lucknow. Other details were being gathered, he said. He maintained he was unaware of who gave him permission to enter the premises to put up the counter. Baudh said he had spoken to the book distributors who, according to the Minister, said the Central Government had not prohibited the books, which have been in circulation for decade now. Condemning the books, the Minister said he would request the Centre to banthem. Gaur denied BJP MLAs had planted the book in the stall. He charged the Minister and the Chief Minister and the Chief Minister with having an agenda to divide and rule Dalits and non-Dalits.


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SRIMATH
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134th BIRTH
ANNIVERSARY


VENERABLE
BANAGALA
UPATISSA