fuel price
Supporters of India's main opposition Congress party shout slogans as they burn an effigy depicting India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a protest against the rise in fuel pricesREUTERS

The issue of rising fuel prices rocked the Rajasthan Assembly on Friday, September 7 with opposition Congress creating an uproar over it and also over cane-charging of its youth activists, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the proceedings for 45 minutes.

As soon as the Question Hour began, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Rameshwar Dudi and Congress deputy whip Govind Singh Dotasara raised the issues.

Youth Congress activists had Thursday, September 6 held a protest against alleged corruption in the Rafale deal, unemployment, and rising fuel prices. Dotasara said the government cane-charged the Youth Congress activists protesting peacefully.

The Congress legislators then trooped into the well of the House and shouted slogans against the government. Ruling BJP accused the Congress of disrupting the Question Hour.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rajendra Rathore said the people of the state are watching the conduct of the Opposition.

Education Minister Kiran Maheshwari said that ministers want to answer questions but that the Congress doesn't want the House to function.

As the ruckus prevailed, Speaker Kailash Meghwal said the conduct of members was not acceptable and adjourned the House for 45 minutes. Youth Congress had held the demonstration Thursday, September 6 in Jaipur against the Rafale aircraft deal, inflation and unemployment, prompting the police to use mild force. The protesters had tried to march towards the assembly, but police thwarted their advance by using water cannons to disperse them.

Two of the activists received minor injuries during the protest which was led by Rajasthan Youth Congress president and Congress MLA Ashok Chandna at Sahakar Road.