Can you control 'act of God'? Maharashtra Speaker asks Aaditya on rain issue

Mumbai, Jul 8 (PTI) The Maharashtra assembly on Wednesday witnessed a brief exchange between Speaker Rahul Narwekar and Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray over the "act of God" in connection with heavy rains and related incidents in the state. Opposition members protested the delay in taking up the rain situation issue, saying it was the most pressing concern before the House. Speaker Narwekar said the House would take up the short-duration discussion on Thursday. He, however, made a mention of climate change for the monsoon fury, which, he said, cannot be controlled. To this, Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray asked, "Will there be a debate on mangroves and forests being cut. Will you say this was an act of God?" The Speaker asked if Aaditya Thackeray could control the "act of God". Thackeray then brought up the issue of alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. This resulted in sloganeering and counter-sloganeering between the Opposition and treasury benches, following which the House was adjourned for five minutes. Heavy rains over the last few days in Mumbai and other parts of the state resulted in several tree fall incidents, fatalities, waterlogging and disruption of road, rail and air traffic. PTI MR GK