MPs outraged at BJP MP’s shocking communal slurs in Lok Sabha
Members of Parliament (MPs) across party lines expressed outrage at BJP MP from Delhi, Ramesh Bidhuri’s violent anti-Muslim abuse of his parliamentary colleague Danish Ali of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in the Lok Sabha on Thursday during a discussion on the Chandrayaan-3 mission.
Though defence minister and deputy leader of the Lok Sabha Rajnath Singh “expressed regret” over the remarks and Speaker Om Birla warned Bidhuri of “strict action” if such action was repeated, they are being seen as far from enough.
For one, Singh’s apology is being seen as more of a damage control exercise than real regret. Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Jairam Ramesh called it “a half-hearted apology … an eyewash”.
“Bhiduri has spoken in a language that is an insult not just to parliament but to every Indian,” Ramesh continued, wondering why the MP had not yet been suspended.
Trinamool Congress’s Mahua Moitra mentioned the explicit comments in her tweet and tagged Om Birla, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President JP Nadda, asking why no major action has been taken.
“BJP MP @rameshbidhuri calling MP Danish Ali a “Bharwa” (pimp), “Katwa” (circumcised), “Mullah Atankwadi” & “Mullah Ugrawadi” ON RECORD in Lok Sabha last night.
Keeper of Maryada @ombirlakota Vishwaguru @narendramodi & BJP Prez
@JPNadda along with GodiMedia- any action please?”
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has demanded the arrest of Bidhuri as there should not be any privilege for hate speech.
The affected MP has written to the Speaker to refer the matter to the “committee of privileges [of the Lok Sabha] under rule 227 of the rules of privilege and conduct of business” for investigation and adequate action.
