DMK MP’s Remark on Art 370 Expunged: Shiva, Ram, Sanatana, 10 Times Party Leaders ‘Went Too Far’

Monday saw a verbal duel in Rajya Sabha between the Opposition and treasury benches after a controversial remark by a Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Member of Parliament (MP) during a discussion on Jammu and Kashmir bills.

Opposing the two bills moved by Home Minister Amit Shah for consideration and passage by the House, M Mohamed Abdulla invoked rationalist and Dravidian movement founder Periyar to support his points and asked the government to take steps to address several issues in Jammu and Kashmir.

Disapproving of Abdulla’s remarks, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar told the DMK member, who also described the abrogation of Article 370 as an attack on federalism, that the freedom of speech in the Upper House “is not unqualified" in reference to the Supreme Court judgment on the matter. “Can we quote anything in this House? Can we go to the extent of it being seditious, challenging our integrity, going against our Constitution? Going against the judgement of the Supreme Court this day? That will not be acceptable…"

Observing that Abdulla was “abusing the platform", Dhankhar expunged the remarks and said he had “gone too far".

A look at 10 times DMK leaders sparked controversy with their remarks:

With PTI inputs