Srinagar: Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah on Friday said that hate against Muslims in India has been mainstreamed like never before.
The NC leader’s comments came after BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri abused a Muslim legislator Danish Ali calling him “Katwa Mullah and Antakwadi”
“How do Muslims, who are part of the saffron party tolerate this level of abject hatred towards their own Muslim community,” Omar asked in a TV interview on Friday.
Earlier, BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri made objectionable remarks against BSP leader Danish Ali in the Lok Sabha during a discussion on the Chandrayaan-3 mission.
The remarks were later expunged from the record. During Bidhuri’s comments, his party colleague and former union minister Harsh Vardhan was observed laughing.
This incident sparked outrage among Opposition members, who called for action against the BJP MP for his derogatory remarks.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla ‘serious note’ of objectionable remarks made by Bidhuri in the House and also warned him of ‘strict action’ if such behaviour is repeated in the future, officials said as reported by PTI.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had expressed regret in the House immediately after Bidhuri made the objectionable remarks and said, “I express regret if the opposition is hurt by the remarks made by the member.”
Singh also said he had not heard the remarks and urged the Chair to delete them from the proceedings if they have hurt the opposition members. Congress member K Suresh, who was in the Chair, said he had already directed the officials to expunge the remarks.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra urged Speaker Om Birla to take action against Bidhuri. In a post on X, she wrote, Maryadapurush @ombirlakota- feel free initiate a privilege motion against me for calling you out. Will be happy to face any committees. But am asking you here and now- what action are you taking against @rameshbidhuri?
Congress leader Pawan Khera also slammed Bidhuri over his remarks on BSP MP in Lok Sabha. He wrote, “I have seen Ramesh Bidhuri as MLA in Delhi Assembly. He was better during those days. I guess, in the Parliament his upbringing has been ably done by Modi-Shah. New Parliament. New India.”
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh demanded Bidhuri’s suspension from the Lower House of Parliament.
He said, “What Ramesh Bidhuri said about Danish Ali is highly condemnable. The more it is criticised, the less it is. Defence minister Rajnath Singh has apologised but that is insufficient. I have never heard such language. This language should not be used inside or outside the Parliament. This is an insult to not only Danish Ali but all of us…The beginning of the new Parliament has been done by Bidhuri and his words. This shows the intentions of the BJP. What Bidhuri is saying is the BJP’s intention…I think this is a fit case for suspension and the strictest punishment should be taken against him.”
DMK leader TKS Elangavon said, “How can he call a Member of Parliament a ‘terrorist’?”, he said.
