NEW DELHI: India’s parliament erupted in chaos on Thursday over a bill to create a state, as angry members came to blows and pulled out a microphone and one pepper-sprayed the chamber.
Holding banners and shouting slogans, lawmakers disrupted the lower house of parliament as the Congress-led government introduced the bill to carve a new state out of the existing Andhra Pradesh.
Legislators opposed to the state of Telangana tried to rip out the speaker’s microphone while one unleashed a can of capsicum spray, prompting a rush for the exit.
Several lawmakers climbed into ambulances suffering breathing problems before reportedly being taken to hospital.
Small fights also flared between members opposed to the bill and several trying to stop the chaos and restore order, as the parliament was adjourned.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath slammed the unrest as a ‘big blot on our parliamentary democracy’.
Seventeen MPs were suspended from the house over the behaviour.-AFP