Last Updated: September 22, 2023, 21:47 IST
Rahul Gandhi shared a photograph of him hugging the BSP leader on X (formerly Twitter).
The video of Ramesh Bidhuri’s derogatory remarks to the Muslim MP has gone viral with opposition parties demanding strict action against him, including suspension from Lok Sabha
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and KC Venugopal on Friday met BSP MP Kunwar Danish Ali, who faced derogatory remarks during a discussion on the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission by BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri. After meeting the Bahujan Samaj Party leader, the former Congress chief made a “nafrat ke bazaar mein mohabbat ki dukan” comment in a reference to a slogan used during the Bharat Jodo Yatra to target the Bharatiya Janata Party.
The video of Bidhuri’s derogatory remarks to the Muslim MP has gone viral with opposition parties demanding strict action against him, including suspension from Lok Sabha.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Ali at his home in Delhi, Gandhi said, “Nafrat ke Bazaar mein Mohabbat ki Dukan (In this marketplace of hatred, there is a shop of love).” He also shared a photograph of him hugging the BSP leader on X (formerly Twitter).
Ali also spoke to the media after his meeting with Gandhi and was quoted as saying by news agency ANI, “He came here to keep my morale high and to extend his support. He said that I am not alone and everyone who is standing with democracy is standing with me.”
Earlier in the day, Ali said if action is not taken against Bidhuri for his derogatory remarks in the Lok Sabha, then he could consider quitting the membership of the House. He also said that people had not elected him to listen to “hate speeches”.
“This is unprecedented. I have written to the Speaker. I hope action will be taken,” Ali said, adding, “This is nothing less than hate speech. This is hate speech on the floor of the House. Hate speeches were being made outside Parliament but now hate speech has been delivered on the floor of the House by a BJP MP. I expect that the speaker will take action on this. But if action is not taken, then with a heavy heart, I can consider quitting the membership of this House because people have not sent me to Parliament to listen to hate speeches.”
He also said that Bidhuri has shamed the entire country and demanded the BJP MP’s suspension.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla took “serious note” of the objectionable remarks made by Bidhuri in the House and warned him of “strict action” if such behaviour is repeated in the future, officials said. The speaker later expunged those words.
Union Minister Rajnath Singh had expressed regret for Bidhuri’s remarks.
(with inputs from PTI)
