Following the publication of the NRC draft, the Congress, the Trinamool Congress and the TDP staged protests in Lok Sabha on Thursday demanding immediate introduction of a bill to strengthen the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and protection of Bengalis in Assam. 

Opposition members trooped in the Well and sought suspension of the Question Hour as soon as the House started the day's business.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge citing that 25% population became vulnerable to atrocities following the March 20 Supreme Court order regarding the Act, demanded immediate introduction of an amendment bill to strengthen the law.

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On March, Supreme Court barred immediate arrests in cases registered under the ACT. 
Kharge also pointed out that the government failed to bring an ordinance soon after the Supreme Court order.

The Union Cabinet had yesterday given its nod to a bill to restore original provisions of the law on atrocities against Dalits and tribals.

Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy alleged that people from the Bengali community were being harassed in Assam following the publication of the draft National Register of Citizens (NRC) and sought their protection.

TDP members, who too came to the Well, raised the demand of special status for Andhra Pradesh.

As Speaker Sumitra Mahajan refused to suspend the Question Hour and continued with the proceedings, the opposition members started anti-government sloganeering.

After few minutes, the Speaker requested the protesting MPs to go to their respective seats, saying she would allow all parties to speak during Zero Hour.

"I told you that I will allow you to speak after the Question Hour. I have not said no to you," she said.

After getting an assurance from the Speaker, the MPs returned to their seats.