A massive controversy has erupted over certain objectionable remarks made by BJP member Ramesh Bidhuri in Lok Sabha against Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) member Kunwar Danish Ali. While Speaker Om Birla took “serious note” of the matter on Friday, former Union minister Harsh Vardhan issued a clarification after his name began trending on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Reacting to the remark, Ali on Friday said, “I was insulted in the temple of democracy.” Officials said that Birla warned Bidhuri of “strict action” if such behaviour is repeated in the future.
Bidhuri’s remarks targeting Ali during a discussion on the “success of Chandrayaan-3” in the Lok Sabha triggered a furore, with Opposition leaders calling for strict action against him.
The officials said the Speaker has warned the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader of strict action if such behaviour is repeated.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had expressed regret in the House immediately after Bidhuri made the objectionable remarks on Thursday night.
Why Did Harsh Vardhan’s Name Began Trending Amid Bidhuri’s Row?
The Aam Aadmi Party took a screenshot of apparently Bidhuri’s controversial speech and encircled former ministers Harsh Vardhan and Ravi Shankar Prasad. The party claimed that they were “shamelessly laughing” when their colleague was spitting fire and using derogatory language against the BSP MP.
News18 will not post AAP’s tweet in this story as the party has mentioned all the derogatory words used by Bidhuri, which have been expunged by the Lok Sabha Speaker. However, here’s the picture that Arvind Kejriwal-led party posted.
Soon, these clipping began circulating on social media, leading to Harsh Vardhan’s name being top on X trends.
Reacting to it, the former minister said that he feels “sad and humiliated” that some people with “vested interest” have dragged his name into the controversy.
“It is a notorious and fabricated story filled with negativity and is being used by some vested political elements on social media to tarnish my image. In thirty years of public life, I have worked closely with lakhs of Muslim brothers and sisters in my constituency as well as with colleagues from various walks of life,” Vardhan further said.
I have seen my name trending on Twitter where people have dragged me into this unfortunate incident where two MPs were using unparliamentary language against each other on the floor of the House. Our senior and respected leader Shri @rajnathsingh ji has already condemned the…
— Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) September 22, 2023
Other Reactions
“It’s an absolute shame. Rajnath Singh’s apology is not acceptable and half-hearted. This is an insult to parliament, this is a clear case of suspension and Bidhuri statement is an insult to every Indian,” said Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, demanding “strictest possible action” against the BJP leader.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) questioned in a post sharing the video: “BJP Delhi MP is calling another Muslim MP with these words in front of the Speaker in the Parliament Is this the culture of BJP?” The party called it the darkest day in the history of Parliament.
RJD MP Manoj Jha said he was “saddened” by the communal slur used by the BJP MP in Parliament.
“Filthy abusive language used by BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri against Danish Ali ( BSP) on the floor constitutes the worst kind of hate speech indicted by the Supreme Court. No MP can claim privilege for such speech. He should be arrested,” the CPI(M) demanded in a statement.
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah highlighted the abusive words used by Bidhuri and posted: “How easily expletives roll off the tongue of this hateful “Hon” MP! Hate against Muslims has been mainstreamed like never before. How do Muslims who identify the BJP as their party coexist along side this level of abject hatred?”
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