Explained: The row over BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri’s offensive remarks in Parliament

The conduct of parliamentarians is often questionable. Proceedings turn into heated debates and insults are hurled at rivals. It’s why politics is termed as dirty. In the latest controversy, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP Kunwar Danish Ali was insulted during a debate in Lok Sabha. The comments, which have now been expunged from the records, were made by BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri, who has received a warning from Speaker Om Birla.

What exactly did Bidhuri say to Danish Ali?

On Thursday evening, during a discussion in the Lower House on the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, Bidhuri hit out at Danish Ali, an MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Amroha. In a video, Bidhuri is seen repeatedly hurling expletives at Ali and making Islamophobic remarks.

The BSP leader told The Indian Express that Bidhuri called him a terrorist and other names. Ali said that he intervened during Bidhuri’s speech. “Then he called me names which included ‘terrorist’,” he told the publication.

Ali has approached Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla to take action against the BJP leader. In a letter to the Speaker, the BSP MP wrote, “I write to you with deep anguish regarding the speech given in the Lok Sabha by an MP of the BJP, Mr Ramesh Bidhuri, during the discussion on Chandrayaan success.

Talking to journalists, Ali said, “I am sure the Lok Sabha Speaker will take action on the incident. Everything is on record. However, if action is not taken against Bidhuri and if my rights are not protected, I will consider leaving the Lok Sabha membership.”

“This is the first time such unparliamentary language has been used against an elected MP. I couldn’t sleep, my soul was shaken. If an elected MP is facing this situation, what would happen to the common man,” he added. He also said that the language used by Bidhuri was an insult to the entire Muslim community.

Explained: When are remarks expunged in Parliament and what are the rules?

Is action being taken against Bidhuri?

The BJP MP has received a warning of “severe action” from the speaker even as his remarks have been expunged from the records. “He [Bidhuri] has issued a warning that if there is any recurrence of such behaviour in future, strict action will be taken,” sources in the Lok Sabha secretariat said, reports The Indian Express.

What has the BJP said?

The BJP on Friday issued a show-cause notice to Bidhuri asking him to explain his unparliamentary remarks against Ali.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed regret in the House and apologised immediately after the remarks were made. “I express regret if the opposition is hurt by the remarks made by the member,” he said.

How are Harsh Vardhan and Ravi Shankar Prasad involved?

BJP leaders Harsh Vardhan and Ravi Shankar Prasad were also embroiled in the controversy as a video of them laughing at Bidhuri’s controversial speech was shared widely on social media.

According to Harsh Vardhan, while he witnessed the spat between Bidhuri and Ali, he could hardly hear anything. “While I was no doubt witness to the jugglery of words being thrown at each other, the truth of the matter is that in the chaos that existed, I could not clearly hear what was being said,” the former Union minister clarified.

He said that he felt sad and humiliated that his name was being dragged into a controversy over the use of “unpardonable language” inside the Parliament. “It is a notorious and fabricated story filled with negativity and is being used by some vested political elements on social media to tarnish my image. In thirty years of public life, I have worked closely with lakhs of Muslim brothers and sisters in my constituency as well as with colleagues from various walks of life,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

“Born and brought up in Phatak Teliyan in the historic gullys of Chandni Chowk, I have spent my childhood and grown up playing with my Muslim friends. I can state with utmost confidence and conviction that all Muslim brothers and sisters who have ever been in contact with me will vouch for my sentiments and behavior.”

I have seen my name trending on Twitter where people have dragged me into this unfortunate incident where two MPs were using unparliamentary language against each other on the floor of the House.

Our senior and respected leader Shri @rajnathsingh ji has already condemned the…

— Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) September 22, 2023

What has the Opposition said?

Opposition leaders have slammed Bidhuri and demanded action against him.

“It’s an absolute shame. Rajnath Singh’s apology is not acceptable and half-hearted. This is an insult to parliament, this is a clear case of suspension and Bidhuri statement is an insult to every Indian,” said Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.

The party pointed out that while Lok Sabha leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was suspended for allegedly “insulting ministers” no action was taken against the BJP MP.

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Friday demanded that Birla take action against Bidhuri. “What is very disgusting is BJP MPs Harsh Vardhan and Ravi Shankar Prasad were laughing instead of stopping or correcting Bidhuri from speaking in such a manner,” Clyde Crasto, national spokesperson of NCP's Sharad Pawar-led group, told reporters.
He questioned why Bidhuri had still not been suspended. “The Speaker must take action immediately. Will the BJP suspend him from the party or will they give him a promotion,” asked Crasto.

The Aam Aadmi Party called it the darkest day in the history of Parliament. “BJP Delhi MP is calling another Muslim MP with these words in front of the Speaker in the Parliament. Is this the culture of BJP,” it asked.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi said that there was “nothing shocking” about Bidhuri’s remarks and that he was sure that no action would be taken against him, lamenting the treatment meted out to Muslims in the country.

RJD MP Manoj Jha said he was “saddened” by the communal slur used by the BJP MP in Parliament.

With inputs from agencies