New Delhi, April 20. (PTI): Rajya Sabha was today thrown into turmoil leading to abrupt adjournment of the House for the day over certain remarks by RPI member R S Gavai about Union Minister Arun Shourie's book `Worshipping false gods'.

The trouble arose when Gavai, without naming Shourie, claimed that ``a gentleman of the House'' was made a Rajya Sabha member and Minister after writing the book.

While participating in a private members' resolution on review of the Constitution, Gavai made some remarks about Shourie which were objected to by the latter.

Shourie said no member could make personal charges about another without giving notice. Gavai countered this by saying that he had not named Shourie.

As shouting continued between the opposition and ruling coalition members, Vice Chairman Md. Salim asked Gavai to withdraw the remarks or he would expunge them.

However, Gavai stood his ground and said ``let Shourie withdraw his book, then I'll withdraw the remarks.''

Nominated member F S Nariman also pleaded with Gavai to withdraw his remarks. Led by S S Ahluwalia, several BJP members vociferously demanded that the remarks be withdrawn.

Even as Shourie was making his submission, the BJP and opposition members went on indulging in verbal wrangle with Ahluwalia shouting at the top of his voice.

Salim pulled up Ahluwalia saying his behaviour in interrupting the proceedings of the House deliberately was unbecoming of a senior member.

As the shouting from both sides continued despite Salim's pleas for order, he adjourned the House abruptly. The House was to take up a statement by Sports Minister S S Dhindsa on match- fixing in cricket.