Shelja's Gujarat temple comment sparks row in Rajya Sabha

The government and the opposition locked horns  when the treasury benches contradicted Congress member Kumari Selja's claim that she faced caste discrimination at a temple in Gujarat, citing what she wrote in the visitor's book there.

The fracas started after  Leader of the House Arun Jaitley referred to Kumari Selja's comment during the debate on the constitution.

Jaitley said contrary to Selja's claim, her comments in the visitor's book of the temple were full of praises.

To this Selja said that she had made it clear in her remarks that it was not in the main temple that she was asked about her caste.

Selja was supported by other Congress members, while treasury benches slammed her for making false remarks.

 union minister Piyush Goyal said it was a "manufactured discrimination."

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi accused Selja of misleading the house.

The protesting Congress members trooped near the chairman's podium, forcing Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien to adjourn the house briefly.

With disruptions continuing, the Rajya Sabha was again adjourned till 12 noon, and then till 2 p.m.