New Delhi: The Veer Savarkar issue rocked Rajya Sabha for the second straight day today (Aug 18, 2004) with determined Shiv Sena and BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) members stalling the proceedings leading to adjournment of the House till lunch.

The issue was raised by Shiv Sena member Sanjay Nirupam who wanted the Government to clarify on whose behest the freedom fighters' plaque at Port Blair was removed and that Petroleum Minister Mani Shanker Aiyer should tender an apology for his reported remarks against Savarkar.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad read out a statement from Aiyer saying at his instance an inscription of Mahatma Gandhi was put up at the Swatantra Jyoti complex marking the celebration of Quit India Day on August 9.

But there was no mention in the statement of removal of plaque of anybody, Azad said. This did not satisfy the Opposition members who vociferously persisted with their demand leading to uproarious scenes.

After nearly 40 minutes of heated exchanges, the House was adjourned till 14:00 IST.

At one point of time, Left members were up on their feet objecting to some of the remarks made by a BJP backbencher casting aspersions on Left parties and Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat immediately expunged those remarks.

Making his submission, Nirupam said there were several plaques inscribed with quotations from several freedom fighters including Bahadurshah Zafar, Subhash Chandra Bose and Savarkar, who were imprisoned in the Cellular Jail.

But one of the plaques containing the poems of Savarkar was missing and wanted to know from the Government at whose instance it was removed.

He also wanted Aiyer to apologise for having allegedly made some insulting remarks against Savarkar.

Responding to queries raised by Opposition members, Azad said the Swatantra Jyoti was an Indian Oil Corporation project.

Quoting a brief statement from Aiyer, Azad said a plaque on the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi was installed.

During that function or at the press conference, Aiyer had not referred to Savarkar. But on the sidelines when a private television channel asked him about Savarkar, Aiyer said his personal views as a citizen were known but as a minister he was bound by the decision of the Council of Ministers, Azad quoted Aiyer as saying.

Dissatisfied with the statement, Opposition members led by Leader of Opposition Jaswant Singh and senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu were up on their feet wanting the Government to clarify at whose instance Savarkar plaque was removed sparking another bout of noisy scenes.

As Opposition and Left party members traded charges disrupting the proceedings, Shekhawat adjourned the House.