Ruling and opposition members in Rajya Sabha today sparred over the ‘dog’ remarks made by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in Rajasthan’s Alwar.
Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge (Photo: India Today)
By India Today Web Desk: A massive row erupted in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday as ruling and opposition members were engaged in a war of words over Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s ‘dog remarks’. Kharge refused the ruling members’ demand for an apology and insisted that the remarks were made outside Parliament and should not be discussed in the House.
Addressing a rally in Rajasthan’s Alwar during the ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra, Kharge trained his guns at the BJP and said, “We (Congress) gave freedom to the country and Indira and Rajiv Gandhi sacrificed their lives for the unity of the country. Our party leaders gave their lives. What did you (BJP) do? Did any of your dogs die for the country? Has any family member made any sacrifice? No!” (sic).
The Congress chief also slammed the government over the recent India-China skirmish along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang sector and alleged the Centre has been concealing facts.
BJP DEMANDS APOLOGY
Furious over the remarks and calling it an ‘insult’, the treasury bench members sought an apology from Kharge. Union Minister Piyush Goyal said, “Unless he apologies, he has no right to be here.” (sic)
Yesterday, LoP Mallikarjun Kharge gave an indecent speech in Alwar. The language used is unfortunate. I condemn the manner in which he used indecent language, said baseless things and attempted to present lies before the nation. I demand an apology from him,” the minister said.
Goyal said the Congress leader has no right to make such a statement as he does not remember history. He does not recall what happened in Jammu and Kashmir, and how China took over 38,000 km of land from India during their regime.
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“We strongly condemn the statement made by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in Rajasthan yesterday. It’s an Italian Congress which is running today. It is being said that he is a rubber stamp president,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi was quoted by ANI as saying.
Law minister Kiren Rijiju termed the comments as ‘distasteful’, ‘unfortunate’ and ‘uncalled’ for and said, “I can’t believe that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge could stoop so low and use such objectionable remarks. He should understand his responsibilities as a leader of a political party. We’re not enemies,we’re rivals. It’s distasteful, unfortunate and uncalled for.” (sic)
Kharge said there was no need to discuss the issue as the remarks were made in Alwar during the Bharat Jodo Yatra.
“What I had said politically was outside the House and not in the House. There is no need to discuss here,” he said while maintaining that the BJP did not have any role during the country’s freedom movement.
PARLIAMENT PROCEEDINGS DISRUPTED
As the debate led to chaos and evoked unruly scenes in the House, the Chairman asked the members not to set a bad example.
“We are setting a very bad example. ..This kind of conduct gives a bad name…Even the observations of the chair that are wholesome are indigestible. What a painful scenario we are having. Trust me, 135 crore people are laughing at us. They are concerned and thinking that we cannot listen to each other,” the chairman said.
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There may be a difference of opinion among members, but one should not indulge in “tit for tat” like children, he said, and asked Kharge to continue his statement.
Kharge said, “If I repeat what I said outside it would be difficult for them. You are asking an apology from those who fought for the country’s Independence. They accused the Congress of holding ‘Bharat Todo Yatra’, to which I responded by saying that Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi gave their lives for the country. Who has given life from your side (saffron party)?”
Earlier in the day, ruckus also erupted in the House as Congress and BJP sparred over Congress leader Ajay Rai’s ‘latkas’ and ‘jhatkas’ remark on Union minister Smriti Irani.
Parliament has seen repeated disruptions over the past few days as the Opposition demands a discussion on the recent India-China border clashes.
(With agency input)
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