Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Dec 20: The members of the ruling BJP disrupted the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday demanding an apology from the leader of the opposition and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over his controversial remarks at a party rally in Alwar in Rajasthan on Monday.
Mr Kharge made the comments while hitting back at the BJP for mocking Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra as “Bharat todo (Divide India).” At the rally in Alwar, Kharge said the Grand Old Party had “won independence for the country” and its leaders like Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi sacrificed their lives. “So this is what we did, our party leaders laid down their life. What did you do? Aapke ghar mein koi desh ke liye kutta mara hai? Kya koi toh kurbani di hai? Nahi. (Has even a dog in your home died for the country? Have you given any sacrifice? No) Still, they (BJP) claim to be patriots and if we say something we are termed as deshdrohi (anti-nationals).”
Soon after papers were laid in the Upper House and the Chairman announced that YSRCP leader V. Vijay Sai Reddy and nominated member P.T. Usha have been nominated on the panel of Vice-Chairman of the House, Treasury Bench members were up on their feet demanding an apology from the Congress leader.
The BJP and the Opposition locked horns and a huge row erupted in the Upper House over his remarks as the ruling BJP demanded his apology and Kharge sticking to his stand that the comments were made outside Parliament and the House was not the place to discuss the issue and refusing to tender an apology. Mr Kharge also slammed the government for not allowing a discussion in parliament on the border clash with China, saying: “They (BJP government) talk like a lion outwardly, but if you see they act like a mouse.”
Stung by the comments, the BJP raised strident calls for an apology as soon as the day began in parliament. “We condemn Mallikarjun Kharge’s comments, the way he used offensive language and tried to spread a lie. He should apologise for using offensive language in Alwar,” said Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal in Rajya Sabha.
As the demand triggered chaos in the House, Vice President and Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said the comment was made outside parliament and asked the ruling party members to behave. “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,” Dhankhar said. The Vice-President said there might be a difference of opinion among members but one should not indulge in “tit for tat” like children. It is possible that someone got carried away and said something outside… You are not children,” he said and asked Kharge to continue his statement.
Mr Kharge, scoffing at the apology demand, doubled down on his comments and explained the provocation. “If I repeat myself here, it will be very difficult for these people (BJP), because those who apologised during the freedom struggle are asking those who fought for freedom to apologise. They said that the Congress is conducting a ‘Bharat Todo (Divide India) Yatra’. That’s when I said Congress has always worked on Bharat Jodo (uniting India). For this, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi gave their lives. What have you done? Who do you know has sacrificed for the country,” said the Congress chief.
The leader of the House and union minister Piyush Goyal shot back: “I think they (Congress) don’t remember their history. They don’t remember the condition that Jammu and Kashmir was in because of the Congress, the threat of Pakistan, China’s occupation, the insult of BR Ambedkar, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel…” “The way he has used the foul language reflected his thinking and jealousy. ….He [Kharge] may be jealous that his party is not being accepted by people. Use of such foul language is an insult of this House and all citizens,” Mr. Goyal said.
Parliamentary Affairs minister Pralhad Joshi said, “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.” “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 are not enemies, we are rivals. It is distasteful, unfortunate and uncalled,” Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said.
