Vigyan Bhavan protest against PM, result of Opposition propaganda: Alvi

New Delhi - Congress Party on Saturday deplored the minor protest that took place during Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's speech at the Vigyan Bhavan here this morning, saying it is the result of the false propaganda spread by the opposition.

Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi said there might be a conspiracy behind this protest.

"This is condemnable. It appears there may be a conspiracy behind this protest. No one can be allowed to protest in such a manner. And I will not hesitate to say that the opposition is misguiding the nation; it is the result of that false propaganda," said Alvi.

"Every individual has got the right to protest, but nobody can be given this sort of a right. The Prime Minister of the country is held in high esteem by the nation," he added.

Alvi hoped the security and the police would eventually find out whether it was a conspiracy.

"Did NDA not raise the prices of diesel and petrol? It was then raised because the price had increased in the international market. What was the value of crude oil at that point of time and what it is now? What was the value of rupee then and what is it now?" asked Alvi.

"The opposition should calculate all this and present its views before the people of the country. " he added.

A man raised slogans against the Prime Minister and attempted to disrupt his speech at the conference on 'Economic Growth in Asia and Changes of Corporate Environment' at the Vigyan Bhavan here earlier today.

The man, who was seated in the audience, stood up on his chair, took off his shirt and began raising slogans like 'Pradhanmantri vapas jao' (Prime Minister go back) just when the Prime Minister was about to begin his speech.

The protester has been identified as Santosh Kumar Suman, who is registered as a lawyer in the Supreme Court Bar Association.

Suman, 33, was immediately whisked away by Special Protection Group (SPG) personnel. He is currently being questioned at the Tughlak Road Police Station.