The Centre on Tuesday continued to demand an apology from Rahul Gandhi for asserting a threat to Indian democracy while the Opposition pressed for a joint parliamentary committee probe into the Adani-Hindenburg controversy, stalling Parliament for the second consecutive day.

The Lok Sabha was adjourned without transacting any business while the Rajya Sabha functioned smoothly only for an hour — to celebrate Indians’ achievements at the Oscars.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi again held a meeting with a select group of ministers in Parliament before the two Houses assembled for the day.

Sources said the meeting decided on continuing the attacks on Rahul, a move the Opposition sees as a ploy to divert attention from the Adani controversy.

In the Rajya Sabha, Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar said the Oscar success was another facet of India’s global rise. Samajwadi Party member and actor Jaya Bachchan hailed the latest achievements but stressed that Indian cinema had received international recognition in the past too.

Dhankhar read out the notice the Opposition had given under Rule 267 seeking a discussion on the Adani-Hindenburg controversy. He then rejected it.

He, however, allowed the leader of the House, Piyush Goyal, to once again press for an apology from Rahul. This led to loud protests and sloganeering from the Opposition benches, forcing an adjournment.

The Opposition has moved a privilege motion again Goyal, citing rules to argue that accusations cannot be levelled in the House against a member of the other House.

Rahul is a Lok Sabha member. The post-lunch session too witnessed uproar and adjournment.

In the Lok Sabha, the Opposition chanted slogans and waved placards demanding a JPC probe into the charges of financial irregularities against the Adani group.

The government indicated that it would continue with its offensive against Rahul to counter the Opposition’s efforts to force a discussion on the Adani controversy.