The Opposition raised a din in the Rajya Sabha on Monday over Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s reported remarks against actor Aamir Khan and demanded an apology from him. Parrikar denied making any such remarks and urged the MPs to first see the video of his speech and then make up their minds. He also urged the agitated MPs not to go by media reports but they did not relent and asked him to contradict the report. Raising the issue during Zero Hour, TMC leader Derek O’Brien said statements by various Ministers including Parrikar against the minorities and Dalits was by design. He demanded that PM Narendra Modi come to the House and clarify the situation.
Associating himself with O’Brien, leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad asked Parrikar to spell out “how to teach a lesson” to the minorities as mentioned by him during his speech in Pune last week. He also said Parrikar was the defence minister of the country and his statement had alienated his own people. Sitaram Yechury(CPM) said Parrikar was not the “raksha mantri” but “araksha mantri” and his statements were spreading tension and a feeling of unease in the country. BSP leader Mayawati said since the BJP came to power at the centre, its leaders were threatening Muslims and Dalits through their speeches. BJP members strongly protested against her allegation leading to pandemonium for short while in the House.