Former union health minister and BJP MP from Delhi’s Chandni Chowk Dr Harsh Vardhan issued a clarification, after he was seen laughing on camera, as BJP member Ramesh Bidhuri allegedly made objectionable remarks against Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Danish Ali during the debate in the Lok Sabha on the Chandrayaan 3 mission on Thursday night.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday took “serious note” of certain objectionable remarks made by Bidhuri in the House and warned him of “strict action” if such behaviour is repeated in the future. The Speaker has expunged the remarks. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed regret in the House immediately after Bidhuri made the remarks.
In a post on X, Harsh Vardhan wrote, “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 Rajnath Singh has already condemned the usage of such unpardonable language by both sides.”
He added, “I ask my Muslim friends who are writing against me on social media today, whether they actually believe that I could ever have become party to usage of such derogatory language that would hurt the sensibilities of any one community?”
Alleging that it is a “notorious” and “fabricated story” filled with “negativity” that is being used by some “vested political elements on social media”, he said that it was being done with the intention to “tarnish” his 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.
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 was overjoyed to have won as a Member of Parliament from the prestigious constituency of Chandni Chowk and this could never have happened if all communities had not supported me,” he wrote on X.
“I feel sad and humiliated that some people with vested interest have dragged my name into this. While I was no doubt witness to the jugglery of words being thrown at each other (which in fact the entire House was), the truth of the matter is that in the chaos that existed, I could not clearly hear what was being said. I have always stood by my own principles in life. And I have never been apologetic about following them, keeping the interest of my country and its people above everything else,” the BJP leader added.
BSP MP Danish Ali has approached Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for action against Bidhuri. In his letter, Ali wrote, as quoted by The Indian Express, “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… During the course of his speech, he directed the most foul, abusive invectives against me, which are part of the records of the Lok Sabha. Among the words he directed against me were ‘B**** (pimp), ’K****’ (circumcised one), ‘M*****’ (Muslim terrorist), ‘atankvadi’ (terrorist) etc… This is most unfortunate and the fact that it has happened in a new Parliament building under your leadership as Speaker is truly heartbreaking for me as a minority member of this great nation and an elected Member of Parliament as well.”
Ali requested the Speaker to take “cognisance of this foul conduct on the floor of the House and take appropriate action” against Bidhuri. He also asked that the matter be referred to the Privileges Committee of the Lok Sabha for prompt action.