Cong, JDS stage walkout from Assembly over probe report

Bangalore, February 28: Opposition Congress and JDS today staged a walkout from the Karnataka Legislative Assembly in protest against the Speaker”s ruling disallowing adjournment motion on the report of a Judicial Commission which inquired into the attacks on some churches in the state in 2008.

In his preliminary submission seeking to move an adjournment motion, Leader of the Opposition Siddramaiah contended that the Christian community was feeling insecure and hurt by the report, which has not rendered them justice.

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister S Suresh Kumar said the Cabinet was yet to consider the report as it had not been tabled.

A “bad precedent” would be set if the adjournment motion was allowed, they said, adding that there was not a single case in the Legislative history when an issue was discussed before the Cabinet took a view and its report tabled in the House.

Disallowing the adjournment motion, Speaker K G Bopaiah said the incidents of attacks on churches did not take place recently and the motion was not under rules as the Government had not taken a view on the matter.

Congress members then trooped out and were joined by their JDS counterparts.

Earlier, Home Minister R Ashoka said, “It is a 1,800 page comprehensive report. It is under the consideration of the Home Department.”

Siddaramaiah said there were “inconsistencies” and “contradictions” between the interim report submitted by the Commission a year back and the final one a month ago.

—-PTI—-