Sena-BJP MLAs hit Rahul Gandhi poster with shoes, Narwekar orders probe
As Congress Legislative Party leader Balasaheb Thorat warned that leaders of other parties can also undergo similar experiences, Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar ordered an inquiry into the incident.
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Shiv Sena's Bharat Gogawale and BJP MLA Yogesh Sagar were seen hitting a banner containing Rahul Gandhi's photograph with shoes at the House premises.
As a court sentenced Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to two-year imprisonment in a defamation case on Thursday, the state Assembly witnessed ruling Shiv Sena and BJP MLAs hitting the MP’s poster with shoes, claiming that he insulted Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar and disrespected India on foreign soil.
Shiv Sena’s Bharat Gogawale and BJP MLA Yogesh Sagar were seen hitting a banner containing Rahul Gandhi’s photograph with shoes at the House premises.
As Congress Legislative Party leader Balasaheb Thorat warned that leaders of other parties can also undergo similar experiences, Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar ordered an inquiry into the incident. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, meanwhile, assured that such acts would not take place inside the state legislature again.
Inside the Assembly, Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik alleged that Gandhi insulted Savarkar during his Bharat Jodo Yatra and continues to do so even now. Another Sena MLA, Sanjay Shirsat, said “Gandhi has been purposely insulting a freedom fighter like Savarkar and he must apologise”.
BJP MLA Ashish Shelar said that a resolution must be brought against Gandhi for disrespecting India on foreign soil.
As ruling side MLAs continued to protest, Narwekar adjourned the House for 10 minutes and later for 30 minutes.
After the House reassembled, Thorat said the unparliamentary manner in which the protest against Gandhi was held must be condemned. “Today, somebody is using the photograph of our leader. Tomorrow, we can use the photograph of somebody else’s leader. Strong action must be taken against those who indulged in such action,” he added.
Fadnavis, while accepting that the manner in which protest was held should have been avoided, said that leaders must be careful while speaking against freedom fighters. “On behalf of the ruling side, I assure you that no such incident will take place in the future. But people should use words carefully while speaking about freedom fighters. No other freedom fighter has suffered as much as Savarkar. The words used against him must be condemned,” he added.
Narwekar assured that the happenings at the House will be checked for any unparliamentary action. “If true, action will be taken,” he said.
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