Ramesh Bidhuri’s remarks expunged, Rajnath apologises, as BSP MP Danish Ali says called ‘terrorist’ in Lok Sabha

Ali, an MP from Amroha in Uttar Pradesh, told The Indian Express that he had drawn the Speaker’s attention to the remarks made sometime after 10 pm in the Lok Sabha, while the debate over the women’s reservation Bill was on in the Rajya Sabha. “The BJP MP was speaking in the House. During the speech, he said some people wanted Prime Minister Modi to die like a dog. I intervened and asked him what he was saying and that no one said that about the honourable Prime Minister. Then he called me names which included ‘terrorist’. I want to ask RSS chief Mohan Bhagwatji, what is taught in their shakhas? Is this what they learn in Prime Minister Modiji’s pathshala?”

Sources said Birla had taken a serious view of use of unparliamentary words by a member. “He has issued a warning that if there is any recurrence of such behaviour in future, strict action will be taken,” sources in the Lok Sabha secretariat said.

In his letter to the speaker, Ali wrote: “I write to you with deep anguish regarding the speech given in the Lok Sabha by an MP of the BJP, Mr Ramesh Bidhuri, during the discussion on Chandrayaan success… During the course of his speech, he directed the most foul, abusive invectives against me, which are part of the records of the Lok Sabha. Among the words he directed against me were ‘Bhadwa’ (pimp),’Katwa’ (circumcised one),‘Mullah ugravadi’ (Muslim terrorist) ‘atankvadi’ ( terrorist) etc… This is most unfortunate and the fact that it has happened in a new Parliament building under your leadership as Speaker is truly heartbreaking for me as a minority member of this great nation and an elected Member of Parliament as well.”

Ali requested the Speaker to take “cognisance of this foul conduct on the floor of the House and take appropriate action” against Bidhuri. He also asked that the matter be referred to the Privileges Committee of the Lok Sabha for prompt action.

The Congress has demanded that Ramesh Bidhuri be suspended for his remarks.

When contacted, Ramesh Bidhuri said he did not want to comment on the House proceedings. It is not the first time that the BJP MP from South Delhi has got into a spat with Opposition members over remarks on the floor of the House.

Opposition parties joined the issue, with Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra criticising the BJP in a post, with a video clipping of Bidhuri’s speech attached. “Keeper of Maryada @ombirlakota Vishwaguru @narendramodi & BJP Prez @JPNadda… any action please?” she posted.

“Abusing Muslims, OBCs an integral part of BJP culture – most now see nothing wrong with it. @narendramodi has reduced Indian Muslims to living in such a state of fear in their own land that they grin & bear everything. Sorry but I’m calling this out. Ma Kali holds my spine,” Moitra said in another post.

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah told ANI: “This shows what they (the BJP) think about Muslims… They should be ashamed.” RJD MP Manoj Jha said he was “saddened, but not surprised”. “This is the truth of PM’s ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. We need to think that if such words were used for an MP in Parliament, then to what kind of language against Muslims, Dalits legitimacy is been given?” Jha told ANI.

The Aam Aadmi Party called it the blackest day in the history of Parliament.

“It is an absolute shame what Ramesh Bidhuri has said. Rajnath Singh’s apology is simply not acceptable. It is a half-hearted apology. It is an insult to Parliament. It makes a mockery of what the Prime Minister keeps repeating, ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas’. If this is not a case for suspension of Bidhuri, then what is? Ramesh Bidhuri had spoken in a language which is an insult to every MP, not just Danish Ali. The Defence Minister’s apology is just an eye wash,” Congress communication head Jairam Ramesh said.

However, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi refused to join the issue. Asked about Ramesh Bidhuri’s remarks at a press conference he held at the party headquarters Friday, he said he did not want to comment on what had happened inside Lok Sabha.