Amid the row over BJP legislator Ramesh Bidhuri’s slurs against BSP MP Danish Ali, Congress chief whip in Lok Sabha Kodikunnil Suresh on Saturday wrote to Speaker Om Birla demanding the immediate suspension of South Delhi MP. Suresh said Bidhuri has brought immense shame to the House with his “vile and communal” remarks against Ali.
Suresh is among several opposition leaders seeking stringent punishment for Bidhuri after Birla warned the BJP MP of “strict action” if such behaviour is repeated.
Suresh, who is a member of the chairperson’s panel, was presiding over the Lok Sabha proceedings at the time of the incident. A member of the panel presides over House proceedings when both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are not present.
The Congress leader noted that as the translation services were not optimal and the House was erupting in protest, he could not make out the exact meaning of the Bidhuri’s utterances but sensing the situation he ensured that the hate-filled remarks were permanently expunged.
While speaking in Lok Sabha on Thursday during the late-night discussion on the success of Chandrayaan-3 and the achievements of India’s space programme, BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri used abusive words against BSP MP Danish Ali.
An MP “behaving like a hatemonger in the hallowed halls of our democracy is a shocking aberration which must never be tolerated” and the matter should be referred to the privilege committee so that Ali gets justice, he said.
“I am writing this letter to request your goodself to take the most immediate action on the matter cited herewith. Ever since I have assumed the responsibility of being on the panel of Chairpersons in the Lok Sabha, it has been my endeavour to ensure the spirit of the constitution and uphold the values of the August House,” the MP said.
The Congress leader further asserted that the “most appalling and unfortunate incident” that “shook the very core of every value to which we all stand guard,” took place in the new Parliament House where “Ramesh Bidhuri, a BJP MP misbehaved and brought immense shame to the house.”
Suresh said he is “utterly shocked” and “absolutely repulsed” at the fact that a “Member of Parliament of the ruling party could openly make such heinous comments and make derogatory remarks, based on a fellow member’s religion and threaten him with assault outside the parliament precincts.”
This incident has brought unfathomable shame and loss of dignity for the House, he said, adding that a Member of Parliament “behaving like a hatemonger in the hallowed halls of our democracy is a shocking aberration which must never be tolerated”.
“The very House, where Constitution is preserved and fundamental rights are guarded, has become a place of religious hatred and discrimination against a Member of Parliament.
“Therefore, I request that strictest possible actions against Ramesh Bidhuri MP, including his suspension from the house and an express reference of the matter to the Privileges Committee be undertaken and justice is granted to Danish Ali MP, who was insulted and harassed in the Lok Sabha at the earliest,” Suresh added.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had expressed regret over Bidhuri’s remarks in the House and the BJP had issued a show-cause notice to the MP from South Delhi.
(With PTI Input)
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