After a massive uproar in the Lok Sabha over Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Azam Khan’s derogatory remarks against BJP member Rama Devi, the SP lawmaker on Monday apologised in the House twice for his sexist comments.
In an anti-climax to the vociferous demand on Thursday for an exemplarypunishment to Azam, the SP leader described Rama Devi as his “sister” saying, “If my word hurts hurt anyone, I apologise.”
Though Azam had to repeat his apology twice in the House, a visibly indignant Devi said the member has the habit of uttering derogatory words against women.
As soon as the House met for the day, Speaker Om Birla asked Azam to speak and soon after he tendered his apology.
“I have been an MLA for nine times, a minister several times, a Rajya Sabha member also. I was a Parliamentary Affairs Minister also. I know legislative procedures,” he said.
“However, if my words hurt anyone, I hereby apologise,” he said.
As some of his words were not audible, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said Azam should repeat the sentence clearly as the House could not comprehend what he actually said.
The Speaker said members should be careful in uttering words and maintain decorum so that no such incident takes place in the future.
SP president and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, who was sitting next to Azam, stood up to say that the Rampur MP had already apologised in the House in proper words and he can vouch for it.
Azam’s remarks against Devi during a discussion on the triple talaq Bill on Thursday last were condemned by members as double-meaning, malicious and a blot on all legislators. Rama Devi was then presiding the House.