Trinamool Congress member Derek O'Brien speaking in the Rajya Sabha on Monday
Criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's absence in Parliament today, Trinamool Congress member Derek O'Brien said, "Please grant a visa to the Prime Minister of India to come to the Rajya Sabha."
Mr O'Brien and other opposition members in the upper house were demanding PM Modi's response to union minister
Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti using an expletive at a rally in Delhi.
"Ministers of this government are using foul, uncivilized language. We want an explanation from the PM. The prime minister of the country is insulting Parliament. He never comes to Parliament," said Congress leader Anand Sharma. (
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Outside the house, the Left's Sitaram Yechury said, "Forget bringing back black money from abroad. Please bring back our PM first."
Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi responded later, "The opposition can't decide when the PM should come to Parliament."
PM Modi had been present in the morning for a weekly parliamentary party meeting, where he sternly cautioned MPs against "addressing the nation" out of turn. "There will be no compromise on this," he reportedly said, without referring to the controversy over his minister's abusive language.
On Monday, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti had told a crowd in Delhi, "Do you want a government of Ramzaadon (followers of Ram) or those who are illegitimate?" She apologized today, but the opposition has demanded her resignation and arrest.
Mr Yechury said the opposition will continue to stall Parliament proceedings till the minister is removed.
Opposition parties have made repeated jibes at the Prime Minister over his foreign visits. The Congress has alleged that since taking power in May, PM Modi has spent only one of every six days in India.
Mr Modi has visited nine countries in six foreign trips since he took over in May this year.