Telangana crisis: Speaker Meira Kumar deplores pepper spraying incident in LS

New Delhi: Deploring the pepper spraying incident that led to pandemonium in Lok Sabha, Speaker Meira Kumar on Thursday said it has “shamed” Indian democracy in the eyes of the world.

“This has shamed us…This has shamed us. Our parliamentary democracy is admired throughout the world. Today what has happened is a blot (on democracy),” she said.

Kumar said she will hold consultations with the leaders on what action is required to be taken against those involved in the fracas inside the Lower House after the government introduced the controversial Telangana bill.

“I am going to have consultations on what is to be done,” she said.

Unprecedented pandemonium marked by fisticuffs, pepper spraying and breaking of mike was witnessed in Lok Sabha as the government moved the bill.

Hell broke loose in the House with members feeling suffocated and were seen coughing after expelled Congress MP L Rajagopal used pepper spray in a bid to prevent introduction of the bill that provides for bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

The spray was used in the Well of the House as Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde introduced the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill amid vociferous protests by members from Seemandhra region.