Varanasi blasts rock Indian parliament

The Opposition, led by the BJP, raised slogans holding the UPA Government responsible for the blasts that killed at least 28 people and left over 50 injured.

The Parliament was first adjourned till noon and then for the whole day.

Agitated members trooped into the well soon after the two Houses assembled and raised slogans like Har Har Mahadev, Jai Bajrang Bali and 'UPA Government down, down', disrupting the proceedings.

Amid the din, Home Minister Shivraj Patil said the temple was "targeted understandably to cause communal tension in the country" and assured the Lok Sabha that the Government remained firmly committed to combating terrorism.

Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee condemned the blasts as "senseless acts of violence" and affirmed the country's strong resolve to maintain peace and tranquillity and unitedly fight terrorism and violence.

In the Rajya Sabha, Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan said that such outrageous acts of terror were intended to "test our patience and secular credentials" and appealed to all sections of society to maintain peace and calm.

Meanwhile, residents in Varanasi are trying to return to normal after blasts ripped through the city Tuesday night.

However, one can sense the uneasy calmness that the people are trying to maintain.

Schools, colleges, markets and business establishments were shut.

Groups of people were seen engaged in discussions near tea stalls and other public places near the site of the explosions.