New Delhi, April 1 The Lok Sabha session was adjourned until noon on Wednesday amid protests by opposition parties over a bill to amend the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act.
As soon as the Question Hour began at 11 am, members of the opposition, mainly from Kerala, started raising slogans against the provisions of the FCRA (Amendment) Bill.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Bill, introduced in the House last month, aims to protect national security and interests, and asserted that it was not aimed against any religion or organisation.
The Bill aims to prevent the misuse of foreign contributions, Rijiju said.
The minister accused the Congress and Left parties of misleading the people of Kerala, which is going to assembly elections on April 9.
He said that although the Bill has been listed in Wednesday's official agenda for the Lok Sabha, it is not being taken up for discussion today.
"I had told the Congress party yesterday that since the Bill has been introduced, it has been listed for consideration and passage for Wednesday. But, today the FCRA (amendment) Bill is not being taken up for discussion," Rijiju said.
As opposition members moved to the well, Speaker Om Birla adjourned the proceedings until noon.