The Hindu : QMC issue: walkout in RS

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 11, 2003

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QMC issue: walkout in RS

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI APRIL 10. The arrest of political leaders protesting the Tamil Nadu Government's proposal to demolish the 150-year-old Queen Mary's Women College in Chennai rocked Parliament today, with the DMK members staging a walkout in the Rajya Sabha.

In the Lok Sabha, the issue was raised during zero hour by Adi Shankar (DMK) and Mani Shankar Aiyer (Cong.), who took strong exception to the arrests of the DMK and Congress legislators in Chennai saying it amounted to "assassination of democracy". Significantly, the DMK received support of the Congress and the Left parties on the issue.

Amid interruptions, V. Saroja (AIADMK) defended the Government move saying that the DMK legislators were arrested because they had gate crashed into the college premises and instigated the students to take part in the agitation, not allowing them to take up their examinations. A complaint made by the college principal was referred to the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Assembly and under his directions they were arrested.

Raising the matter through a special mention in the Rajya Sabha, the DMK member, Vidhuthalai Virumbi, said the college was a symbol of women's education in South India. "Classes are not being allowed inside the college and are being held under a tree. Because of the decision, several protests are on and political leaders have been arrested. My feeling is that the college may be demolished any moment."

This sparked an uproar with AIADMK members on their feet saying that the issue should not be allowed to be raised as the matter was sub judice and any reference to it could influence the court decision. Amidst the din, Mr. Virumbi was heard asking whether the AIADMK would give an assurance that the college building, which was of heritage value, would not be pulled down. As the rest of the house watched, there were vociferous charges and counter charges between the DMK and the AIADMK members.

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