Lok Sabha passes two more bills without debate

New Delhi: Two more bills were passed by the Lok Sabha on Tuesday without debate, including one seeking to rename Kerala as Keralam.

Opposition MPs continued to protest, demanding Union home minister Amit Shah's presence in the House over alleged police excesses against student protesters here on July 20.

The House was adjourned soon after the passage of the bills, with the logjam showing no signs of abating despite the government on Monday offering a discussion on "student and youth agitations" and a reply by Shah, including on the police action.


That the stalemate would continue became clear on Monday, when Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi made it plain that Shah's response on "general things" would cut no ice and he must specifically address the circumstances surrounding the alleged use of pellet guns against student protesters. Congress has also said that a debate on the alleged theft of funds at the Ram temple in Ayodhya was "non-negotiable", as was an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Earlier, Speaker Om Birla expressed anguish over disruptions as the proceedings, which began at 11 am, were adjourned until 2 pm within minutes. After the House reassembled, Opposition MPs continued to raise slogans and carry placards into the well. TDP MP Krishna Prasad Tenneti, who was on the chair, allowed laying of papers amid the din. Shah was absent from the House even though the day's list of business indicated that he would move the two bills listed against his name. Later, the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill which seeks to change the state's name to Keralam, was taken up for consideration and passage.