The Lok Sabha on Monday witnessed a furore over an attack on Emanuel Mission, a Christian organisation working in Rajasthan, allegedly by Sangh Parivar activists with CPI (M) and BJP members trading charges, forcing adjournment of the House for 40 minutes.

The issue came up during Zero Hour as CPM member Suresh Kurup alleged that the Sangh Parivar outfits had unleashed a “systematic hate campaign” against the Mission which was carrying out philanthropic work and running schools in the state.

Mr Kurup alleged that the BJP Government in Rajasthan had failed to take action to check Sangh Parivar groups.

Provoked by the charges, BJP members, including their Deputy Leader V K Malhotra and Srichand Kripalani, hit back and accused the Mission of denigrating Hindu Gods in a book published by it. Despite warnings by Speaker Somnath Chatterjee against waving the book and appeals to the two sides to maintain calm, the furore continued forcing him to adjourn the House.

The Left members also sought a statement on the issue from Home Minister Shivraj Patil who was present in the House.