The Rajya Sabha on Friday was adjourned twice before noon due to protests against controversial comments made by Bharatiya Janata Party minister VK Singh and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat. The Bahujan Samaj Party launched a vociferous attack against Singh's alleged anti-Dalit remarks, while the Samajwadi Party protested against Bhagwat's reported comments on the Ram temple in Ayodhya, reported PTI.

BSP chief Mayawati alleged that the social and communal atmosphere in the country has deteriorated since the BJP came to power at the Centre. Ram Gopal Yadav of the Samajwadi Party said that Bhagwat was creating a communally tense environment by saying that a Ram Temple will be built in Ayodhya during his lifetime, while the matter was still pending in courts. BJP’s Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi dismissed the criticism, saying that people have a “fundamental right” to reiterate commitment for the construction of the temple, adding that the court’s decision will be respected.