Peace returned to the lok Sabha on Thursday after Union Minister Anantkumar Hegde tendered an apology over his remarks on secularism and the Constitution on the Speaker's suggestion. But he maintained that his speech at a function in Karnataka was presented in a distorted manner.
The Rajya Sabha , however, witnessed a brief adjournment on the issue as the opposition continued its protest over Hegde's remarks. During the Zero Hour, leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad raised this issue and said the opposition members were not satisfied with the Government's clarification and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel had sought a day's time to resolve this matter.
In the lok Sabha, Hegde tendered an apology after a prompting from the Speaker Sumitra Mahajan but he said his speech at a function in Karnataka was distorted.
As soon as the House assembled, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge sought to raise the issue of Hegde's remarks, but the Speaker prevented him saying the Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship would make a statement.
Hegde first said that he held the country, the Constitution and its architect B R Ambedkar in high esteem and there was no question of showing disrespect to them.
“As a citizen, I can't think of violating the Constitution,” he said. At this point, Kharge, again protested demanding an apology from Hegde.
The Speaker then intervened and told Hegde that there was no question of anyone showing disrespect to Ambedkar but, at times, if someone says something, his or her statement sometimes hurt someone else and for that if the person tenders apology, his stature would not get lowered.
With Mahajan's nudge, Hegde said his speech was presented in a distorted manner which was not correct. Nevertheless, he said: “If someone is hurt, I have no hesitation to tender my apology.”