The disgusting, tasteless and deeply communal remarks on a minority MP, by the BJP MP from South Delhi will not put just the BJP to shame. It shames all of us as Indians across the length and breadth of this country, of every race and religion, of every caste creed and gender.
This remark by an elected MP inside Parliament is an insult to us as a nation; it’s a blot on our entire society. What message does it give to the youth who come to the visitors’ gallery to observe the functioning of the “temple of democracy?”
It’s the most shameful incident in the history of the Indian Parliament.
And isn’t it legitimate to ask the voters of South Delhi: “Is this the kind of MP you chose to represent you? Because he represents you. And will you, after this, give such people the stamp of your approval?
This is what Ramesh Bidhuri said to MP Kunwar Danish Ali during a discussion in Parliament “Yeh ugrawaadi (militant), yeh aatankwaadi hai (terrorist), ugrawaadi hai, yeh aatankwaadi hai” Bidhuri was heard shouting during the proceedings. He also reportedly referred to Ali as a “Mullah aatankwaadi, bharwa (pimp) and katwa (circumcised).”
Baahar phenko iss mulle ko (Through this ‘mullah’ out),” Bidhuri, the MP from South Delhi, also said.
-Is the BJP tolerating this kind of language?
-Is it okay for the BJP to tolerate this insult against minorities?
-Has the BJP MP forgotten the role of Muslim soldiers, generals, policemen, writers, singers, and musicians who have woven the fabric of courage, unity and class in India?
What would Bharat Ratna APJ Abdul Kalam have felt to hear these words? Kalam became President when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister. How would Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee himself have felt if he heard his party MP utter such language?
What would BJP Muslim stalwarts like the late Sikandar Bhakt or the former Rajya Najma Heptullah feel hearing these words? That they are terrorists and pimps?
Does MP Bidhuri even realise that he could utter those words without being called out for unparliamentary language because the framers of the Indian Constitution and all those who served in this August house never imagined in their wildest dreams that such words would even be spoken or dared to be spoken by any MP in the House?
Many opposition MPs are calling for action. A show cause may have been issued by the party and the Speaker may have warned of action if such instances are repeated. But the offence is far graver than that. It’s not an insult to a Muslim MP. It’s an insult to India, to our sensibilities, our culture, our education and most importantly to our sense of decency and good behaviour.
Our country and the entire world are watching. How India deals with this will reflect on whether we are the same country that our freedom fighters fought for, a country that aims to sit on the high table of the global nations. Can we do it when our MPs speak such language?
