An unrelenting Opposition on Friday created an uproar in lok Sabha and forced BJP member Sakshi Maharaj to expressed regret and withdraw his remarks describing Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin Nathuram Godse a patriot. Incidentally, the Opposition’s sustained pressure saw Maharaj ultimately expressing his regret thrice in the House.
The question hour, which has been witnessing noisy scenes over controversial remarks of opposition and treasury benches for the last two weeks, was again disturbed as the Opposition demanded and apology from the BJP member and sought suspension of Question hour.
Speaker Sumitra Mahajan informed the opposition that she has rejected notices on adjournment motion and suspension of Question Hour to take up the issue. This led to opposition members from Congress, RJD, TMC and left trooping into the Well raising slogans against the government and Sakshi Maharaj, who was present.
Amid slogans like ‘Hey Ram, hey Ram; Gandhi ke hatyare ko diya samman’ (eulogising Gandhi’s killer) and ‘doshi sarkar hai hai’ (down with the guilty Government), the House continued with Question Hour.
In the middle of loud protests , Congress President Sonia Gandhi joined opposition members in raising slogans against the government and the BJP member. Mahajan adjourned the House for 10 minutes up to 11.25 AM.
After the house resumed its proceedings, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said nobody can accept eugolising the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi. He said the government and the BJP do not agree with the proposition of the MP. He said “an issueless opposition” is not allowing the House to function. The opposition was, however, relentless and shouted slogans against the government.
A visibly disturbed Speaker disapproved the disruption and said, henceforth, she will have to set aside the first five minutes for apologies. At one point she also signaled shouting opposition members to come and run the proceedings of the house from her seat.
At this point, Sakshi Maharaj rose to make a statement and said he respects the Mahatma and the House. “I withdraw my remarks. But my friends have no issue...Godse killed Gandhi long back but you killed the Mahatma’s ideology in 1984 during anti-Sikh riots,” he said.
As Congress members did not accept his remarks, the BJP member said he expresses “regret” and “withdraws” his remarks. leader of Congress party Mallikarjun Kharge said the opposition will not allow the Government to have its way just because it has majority saying “entire country wants an apology”. Kharge said without apology “ we will not allow to run the house”.
At Opposition’s noisy protest, Naidu sought to ask “Are you following Gandhi’s ideals IJ” Gandhiji believed in disciple”, he said there are people who are “killing” the ideology of the Mahatma every day.
Mahajan said the MJP has expressed his regrets , what do you want “ Shashtang chahiye”IJ
As the bedlam continued, Speaker sought the MP to speak, making amendments to his earlier comments. Sakshi Maharaj rose once again to withdraw his remarks saying “ I express regret before the House and the country.”