New Delhi: A major uproar has erupted over certain controversial and abusive comments made by BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri against Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP Kunwar Danish Ali in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.
While the controversial words have been expunged from the records of the proceedings of the Lower House of Parliament, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is said to have taken serious view of the "unparliamentary" remarks made by Bidhuri, who represents South Delhi constituency.
The Speaker has issued a warning that if there is any recurrence of such behaviour by Bidhuri in future, strict action would be taken.
Bidhuri made the remarks during a discussion on Chandrayaan 3 mission on Thursday, the last day of the special session convened for passage of the Women's Reservation Bill.
The unparliamentary remarks made by Bidhuri have invited sharp reactions from various opposition parties with the demand for strict action against him.
Aggrieved Danish Ali on Friday wrote to the Lok Sabha Speaker, saying the comments made against him were "heart-breaking" for him and that the matter be referred to the Privileges Committee of the House.
" ....Since this is the only way out to discipline an experienced member so that the atmosphere of our country is not vitiated any further. I request your good self to kindly order an enquiry into the matter," Danish Ali has urged the Speaker.
In the letter, Ali mentioned the unparliamentary words used against him (which have been expunged) and stated that the episode was the "most unfortunate in the new Parliament building".
"This is most unfortunate and the fact that it has happened in a new Parliament building under your leadership as speaker is truly heart-breaking for me as a minority member of this great nation and an elected member of Parliament as well," he said.
BSP chief Mayawati said even though the Speaker has expressed strong views on Bidhuri's comments, the lack of action by BJP against its MP is sad and unfortunate.
Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav said the indecent way BJP member addressed Danish Ali is no less than a criminal act.
He also said that it was shameful that some of the BJP MPs were laughing when the condemnable remarks were being made, in an apparent reference to former Union Minister Harsh Vardhan who was seated just behind Bidhuri when he spoke in the House.
TMC leader Mahua Moitra, in a post on X, said, "Abusing Muslims and OBCs was an integral part of BJP culture -- most now see nothing wrong with it".
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah condemned the incident and said that "hate against Muslims has been mainstreamed like never before".
He criticised the Speaker for not taking strict action against Bidhuri.
"...Shame on the Speaker for refusing to take any action against the abusive BJP MP. Opposition MPs have been suspended for trivial offences & here outright abuse is condoned," he wrote on micro-blogging site X (formerly Twitter). (UNI)