‘Couldn’t hear clearly…’: Harsh Vardhan on allegations of ‘laughing’ during Bidhuri’s controversial remarks in LS

His clarification comes after a video, showing Union ministers Vardhan and Ravi Shankar Prasad ‘laughing’ during BJP MP Bidhuri’s controversial speech, was shared widely on social media.

Vardhan said to have felt sad and humiliated that his name name is being dragged into a controversy over the use of “unpardonable language” used inside the parliament. Terming it a “notorious and fabricated story filled with negativity”, the former Union minister alleged that it is being used by some vested political elements on social media to tarnish his image.

‘Couldn’t hear clearly…’: Harsh Vardhan on allegations of ‘laughing’ during Bidhuri’s controversial remarkshttps://t.co/34O3wHpHEp pic.twitter.com/womlShhKPh

— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) September 22, 2023

Taking to X, previously Twitter, Vardhan said: “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.”

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

“Born and brought up in Phatak Teliyan in the historic gullys of Chandni Chowk, I have spent my childhood and grown up playing with my Muslim friends. I can state with utmost confidence and conviction that all Muslim brothers and sisters who have ever been in contact with me will vouch for my sentiments and behavior,” he added.

BJP MP Bidhuri has come under fire from the Opposition parties for his ‘terrorist’ remark against BSP’s Danish Ali in the Parliament. Sharing the clip of Bidhuri’s speech with Vardhan ‘laughing’ from the bench behind, AAP termed the incident a ‘new low inside new Parliament of India’ and said, “BJP MP Dr. Harsh Vardhan and Ravi Shankar Prasad were shamelessly laughing when their colleague Ramesh Bidhuri was abusing Muslim MP Danish Ali, calling him a “terrorist”.”

Vardhan said he saw his name trending on Twitter where people dragged him “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 ji has already condemned the usage of such unpardonable language by both sides. I ask my Muslim friends who are writing against me on social media today, whether they actually believe that I could ever have become party to usage of such derogatory language that would hurt the sensibilities of any one community?”

He further said that he was overjoyed when he won the Lok Sabha seat from the prestigious constituency of Chandni Chowk and that this could never have happened unless all the communities supported him.

“I feel sad and humiliated that some people with vested interest have dragged my name into this,” he rued.

“I have always stood by my own principles in life. And I have never been apologetic about following them, keeping the interest of my country and its people above everything else,” he added.