MPs nearly came to blows as unprecedented scenes were witnessed in the Rajya Sabha today when the UPA government managed to introduce the Women’s Reservation Bill providing for 33% quota for women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies. The House was later adjourned sine die, bringing to an end the Budget session of the Upper House.

Samajwadi Party MPs forced an adjournment as soon as the House took up business for the day, protesting Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray’s remarks against non-Maharashtrians. But there was high drama as soon as Rajya Sabha’s presiding officer PJ Kurien asked Law and Justice Minister Hans Raj Bhardwaj to introduce The Constitution (One Hundred and Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2008 — the women’s quota Bill.

Even before Bhardwaj could rise, SP MP Abu Azmi rushed towards him in an apparent attempt to snatch the copy of the Bill from the Minister. Another SP MP hurled pieces of torn paper into the well of the House. Azmi later told The Indian Express that his intention was to “snatch and tear the copy of the Bill”.

As Azmi made his move, Women and Child Development Minister Renuka Chowdhury, assisted by Rajeev Shukla and some other Congress MPs, tried to block him physically and cordon off Bhardwaj.

The commotion that followed saw MPs from treasury benches trying to form a security ring around Bhardwaj, pushing and shoving MPs from Opposition benches. Bhardwaj finally got up and introduced the Bill. The House was adjourned immediately thereafter. Bhardwaj was later seen talking to Azmi and other SP MPs, including Amar Singh and Shahid Siddiqui.

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