Monday, February 20 2006 15:02 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Rajya Sabha today (Feb 20 2006) witnessed noisy scenes over caricatures of Prophet Mohammed and some paintings allegedly denigrating Bharat Mata and Hindu gods with the entire House condemning these saying anything that stokes religious sentiments should be dealt with sternly.

The issue came up during Zero Hour as Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP) said action should be taken against some Uttar Pradesh leaders, including a Minister, for instigating people and for arson at BJP state headquarters in Lucknow.

He was joined by members from various political parties, including Sahid Siddiqui (SP), in condemning paintings which allegedly denigrated Hindu gods and goddesses.

Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan, however, did not allow attempts by Siddiqui to wave a copy of a magazine that portrayed the caricature of Prophet Mohammad saying it violated rules of the House.

Nothing should be done in the House that arouses passion, he said. Responding, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Suresh Pachouri said these are very emotional issues and both the Prime Minister's Office and the government had condemned the regrettable and objectionable caricatures of Prophet Mohammad.

Regarding BJP's concern of a UP Minister making provocative statements on the issue, Pachouri said "we expect all constitutional functionaries not to do anything that disrespects democratic principles."