The Lok Sabha adjourned for the day over chants against Rahul Gandhi's comments on how "democracy is under siege"

Friday's Lok Sabha proceedings were suspended for the day as a result of opposition protesters chanting slogans and members of the governing party raising their hands in disapproval of statements made lately by Congressman Rahul Gandhi about how "democracy is under threat" in London.

Since the second portion of the budget session started on March 13, the House has been inactive for five days in a row.

Many Congress members flocked to the Well of the House as soon as the Lok Sabha convened for the day, yelling protests and pleading for Gandhi to be given the opportunity to address the Parliament.

They also called for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) investigation into the suspected stock manipulation by the Gautam Adani-led Adani Group, a commercial behemoth.

The treasury benches also shouted protests from their seats, pleading with Gandhi to retract his comments.

For almost 20 minutes, the commotion persisted despite Speaker Om Birla's pleas for the members to allow the House to conduct business as usual.

"Honorable members, I beg you to let the House function properly. You weren't sent here to do this task by anybody. Everyone will get a chance to speak, but the House must be in order first "said he.

The speaker adjourned the House for the day after the protesting members disregarded his requests. It will convene once again on March 20.

Rajnath Singh, the defence minister, Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and a number of other Union ministers were in the House.

Rahul Gandhi said during his contacts in London that there is a "full-scale assault" on the institutions of India and that the country's democratic processes are under threat.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused Gandhi of defaming India on foreign soil and calling for foreign interventions in response to Gandhi's comments, and the Congress hit back at the opposition party by pointing to instances in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi brought up domestic politics abroad.