Participating in the discussion on the demands for grants for food and cooperation, P R Sundaram (AIADMK) alleged that unable to withstand severe proceedings to recover cooperative loans, at least two farmers had committed suicide.

Even as Food and Cooperation Minister K N Nehru was refuting the charge, contending that the suicides were due to domestic problems and had nothing to do with cooperative loans, Sundaram said farmers had taken out a procession at Tiruchirappalli carrying ropes, symbolising the death noose.

He held aloft a piece of rope, saying if the government was not aware of what a noose was, here was one.

Chief Minister M Karunanidhi rose to object to the gesture, which, he said, lowered the dignity of the House. Sundaram had trivialised the proceedings,he said.

Deputy Speaker Parithi Ilamvazhuthi, who was in the chair, warned Sundaram against repeating the gesture.