New Delhi, India - The parliament was adjourned on Monday after the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanded the prime minister apologise for saying minority Muslims should have a priority in distributing national resources.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told a meeting on Saturday that the government had to ensure minorities, particularly marginalised Muslims, were "empowered to share equitably in the fruits of development" and must have first claim on resources.
His comments came after a report published in November found that India's Muslims were lagging behind and faced above average levels of poverty, illiteracy and unemployment.
Politicians of the BJP created a ruckus as parliament session opened on Monday, saying they would not allow proceedings to go ahead until Singh apologise, claiming it was an attempt by government to win Muslim votes.
"The prime minister has said that the minorities, particularly the Muslim minority, must have first claim on resources. What is this, if not communal appeasement?" said BJP leader L.K. Advani.
"There are crores in the country below the poverty line, living in miserable conditions. I would expect him to say first claim on our resources should be of those below the poverty line," he said.
BJP members shouted slogans in the country's national assembly, until the speaker of the house had no choice but to adjourn the session until Tuesday.
An important speech by Foreign Minister Pranab Muhkerjee on the passage of a landmark bill by the United States to sell nuclear technology to India had to be postponed.
Singh was not present in parliament, but a statement issued by his office on Sunday sought to clarify his comments which it said were being deliberately and mischievously misinterpreted.
The prime minister was referring not only to the upliftment of minorities like Muslims, but also lower castes, tribespeople, women and children, it said.
"It is the responsibility of the government to pay special attention to the welfare of weaker and marginalised sections. The prime minister has said on several occasions that India must shine, but shine for all," his office said.
The ruling Congress party, which proudly flags its pluralist identity, has been accused by the BJP of "appeasing" the country's 138 million Muslims, who make up over 13 percent of the population.
Hardline Hindus say Muslims should not be allowed to follow their own personal laws with regards to inheritance, divorce and marriage as at present.