A BJP MP on Wednesday compared the Opposition members protesting in the Rajya Sabha with “Omicron”, alleging that they were a threat to democracy, and asked them to take the “Modi vaccine” to protect themselves from the new coronavirus variant.
Participating in a short-duration discussion on the situation arising out of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus in the Upper House of Parliament, BJP MP Shiv Pratap Shukla alleged that the Opposition members were running away from the debate as they did not want to recognise the efforts of the Government in controlling the spread of the virus.
He also urged them to follow social distancing norms and wear masks while protesting in the Well of the House. Shukla asked the protesting members to take the vaccine against Covid-19 which, he said, the opposition had earlier dubbed as “Modi vaccine” or “BJP vaccine”.
“We all are discussing Omicron and Omicron is standing right before us,” Shukla said, pointing towards the opposition members. “I feel that there cannot be a bigger Omicron than this, which is not allowing Parliament to function. That is why there is a danger to democracy in Parliament because of these Omicrons. These Omicrons are not becoming silent even when the Chair is making efforts,” he said, again pointing towards the protesting Opposition members.
The Opposition members objected to his remarks,
with Manoj Kumar Jha of the RJD saying he has no right to speak so.