During the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge lost his temper in the Rajya Sabha on Monday. When BJP MP Neeraj Shekhar, son of former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar, interrupted his speech he was met with thundering remarks.
Kharge, speaking on the depreciation of the Indian rupee, was interrupted by Shekhar. In response, Kharge recalled his past association with Shekhar’s father, Chandra Shekhar, and angrily retorted, “Tera baap ka bhi main aisa sathi tha. Tu kya baat karta hai? Tujhko lekar ghuma. Chup, chup, chup baith.” (I was your father’s companion. What are you talking about? I took you around. Shut up and sit down.)
These sharp remarks sparked uproar in the House, as Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar was compelled to intervene to restore order. He reminded the members of Chandra Shekhar’s towering legacy and urged Kharge to withdraw his remarks, requesting respect for the former Prime Minister, who is regarded as one of India’s tallest political figures. Kharge responded, clarifying that he held Chandra Shekhar in high esteem and had been arrested alongside him, which triggered his remark.
Neeraj Shekhar, who had earlier been a member of the Samajwadi Party, joined the BJP in 2019. His father, Chandra Shekhar, was one of India’s most respected socialist leaders and served as Prime Minister from 1990 to 1991.
Both Kharge and Shekhar have expressed cordiality toward one another in past encounters. Kharge emphasised that his words were not meant as an insult but stemmed from a conjugal history shared with Shekhar’s father.
The Chairman also addressed Kharge’s use of “apke baap” (your father) during the exchange, pointing out that such expressions did not align with the House’s decorum. Kharge assured that it was never his intention to disrespect anyone. He did accuse the BJP of regularly insulting political figures. He recalled the derogatory remarks aimed at former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, including calling him “Mauni Baba” and mocking his leadership abilities. Kharge stated, “They insult, we tolerate.”
Kharge’s outburst underscores the deep-seated tensions that often flare up in parliamentary debates, reflecting the broader political divide between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress. While his remarks may have been driven by personal history and past camaraderie, they also highlight the frequent nature of decorum disruption in the Houses. As tempers run high, the incident serves as a reminder that robust political discourse must be anchored in mutual respect, especially when discussing towering figures of India’s political past.