BJP MPs walk out of Parliament panel meeting over Medha Patkar's proposed testimony

NEW DELHI: A clash erupted between opposition and BJP MPs over the proposed testimony of social activist Medha Patkar before a parliamentary committee, resulting in abrupt end to the session amid acrimony and walk out on Tuesday.

Patkar and actor Prakash Raj were to depose before the standing committee on rural development, headed by Congress MP Saptagiri Ulaka , on the land acquisition law passed by Parliament in 2013. But while they were waiting outside the meeting chamber, BJP MPs including Parshottam Rupala said they would not listen to Patkar. The opposition camp which included Imran Masood of Congress said experts are invited in normal course, and Patkar too has been called with the consent of all members.

But, as per an opposition MP, BJP members called her "anti-national" and accused her of stalling development. When it was argued that experts and civil society members are called to give views on diverse subjects routinely, a BJP MP is said to have asked if the PM of Pakistan can also be called. Immediately, BJP bloc, which comprised 11 of the 17 panel members in attendance, walked out.