New Delhi

Proceedings of the Lok Sabha were adjourned till 3 pm on Monday following noisy protests by opposition members demanding a debate on the situation in West Asia.

The disruptions began when External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar rose to make a statement on the crisis in the region. Opposition MPs started raising slogans and demanding a full-fledged discussion on the issue.

Presiding officer Jagdambika Pal said the concerns raised by the opposition through placards were already being addressed by the government.

He also noted that a resolution seeking the removal of Om Birla from the post of Speaker of the Lok Sabha was already listed on the agenda and questioned how the opposition intended to discuss both issues on the same day.

“If you are not satisfied with the statement, please approach the Business Advisory Committee to seek a discussion on the subject,” Pal said.

After Jaishankar concluded his statement, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused opposition members of not following the basic ethics of the House.

Rijiju said the notice to remove Birla from office had already been accepted and the government was willing to discuss it, but the opposition was disrupting proceedings.

While urging members to return to their seats, Pal said the no-confidence motion against the Speaker would be taken up once the House was in order.

As opposition members continued their protest, he adjourned the House till 3 pm.

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Earlier in the day, the House had been adjourned for an hour after members paid tributes to one sitting and four former MPs who had recently passed away.