Faced with the Congress’s vociferous protest in Parliament, Union Minister Giriraj Singh apologised on Monday for his ‘racist’ remarks on Congress president Sonia Gandhi earlier this month.
The lok Sabha was adjourned after Congress disrupted proceedings demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s apology over Singh’s comments. The Minister had made the comment during an informal interaction with journalists in Bihar recently.
As soon as the House met for the day, Congress members raked up Singh’s remarks against Sonia. leader of Congress in lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said BJP MPs and ministers have continuously been making unwarranted and irresponsible statements. Such remarks create fissures in the society and hurt the harmony, he said.
Jyotiradiya Scindia said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should apologise and this time, the minister should not only apologise but also tender his resignation. While rejecting a host of adjournment motions moved by Congress, AIADMK and left members, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan allowed Scindia to raise the issue of Singh’s remarks. Mahajan said she was also hurt by the remarks and such statements should not be made.
Both Sonia and Singh were present in the House. The House was briefly adjourned and when it resumed Singh apologised for his comments. “If my comments have caused offence to anyone, I apologise,” Singh said.