If provocation doesn’t stop, it becomes fashion: Irfan Pathan reacts to offensive remarks in Parliament

Pathan, who played for India from 2003-2012, posted on X, formerly Twitter, "If provocation doesn’t stop, it becomes fashion. #Parliament."

Irfan Pathan reacts to Parliament controversy. (File)

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Former India player Irfan Pathan on Friday reacted to the controversial remarks by BJP member Ramesh Bidhuri against BSP MP Danish Ali during the debate in the Lok Sabha on the Chandrayaan 3 mission Thursday night. The Speaker Om Birla expunged the remarks.

In a letter written to Speaker, Ali wrote, “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.”

Reacting to the incident, Pathan, who played for India from 2003-2012, posted on X, formerly Twitter, “If provocation doesn’t stop, it becomes fashion. #Parliament.”

If provocation doesn’t stop, it becomes fashion. #Parliament

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 22, 2023

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.

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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.

BSP MP Danish Ali writes to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, seeking issue of BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri’s use of objectionable language to be referred to privileges committee. pic.twitter.com/RY0rzdD80s

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 22, 2023

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

Opposition parties also 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.”

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