The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday witnessed massive furore over Congress president and Leader of Opposition M Mallikarjun Kharge’s remarks on Monday questioning the role of the BJP in the freedom struggle. The ruling party demanded an apology from him but he did not relent and repeated his allegation. The BJP and Congress sparred over the issue in the morning session of the Upper House with Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar often urging members from both the sides to maintain decorum. The bone of contention was a remark made by Kharge in Alwar during a rally in connection with the Bharat Jodo Yatra wherein he said that while the Congress stood for the country and helped attain Independence after its leaders made supreme sacrifices, “not even a dog of the BJP was lost” for the country. He also alleged that the BJP Government “talks like a lion but acts like a mouse” as it did not take on China for incursions along the border.
He also said that the BJP was running away from a debate on the issue in Parliament.
Rejecting BJP’s demand for an apology in RS, Kharge said he made these remarks outside parliament and question of apology did not arise at all.
He also said Congress leaders including Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi sacrificed their lives to uphold the unity of the nation and the BJP had no credentials to demand an apology from him.
Leader of the House Piyush Goyal said, "Yesterday, Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge used foul language in his speech at Alwar. He made baseless remarks and tried to keep untruth before the nation. I strongly condemn it and demand an apology from him."
He further said after the country's Independence Mahatma Gandhi had said the Congress should be disbanded, and Kharge's behaviour shows what the Father of the Nation had said was true. “ Kharge does not even know how to give a speech. Till he apologises, he has no right to stay in the House,” Goyal added.
As the members from both the sides engaged in a slanging match, Dhankhar asked Goyal to control his members adding he does not "appreciate such unruly scenes and chaotic behaviour" in the House.
As unruly scenes persisted, the Chairman also urged the members not to set a bad example.
"We are setting a very bad example. This kind of conduct gives a bad name...Even the observations of the chair that are wholesome are indigestible. What a painful scenario we are having. Trust me, 135 crore people are laughing at us. They are concerned and thinking that we cannot listen to each other," the chairman said.
There may be a difference of opinion among members but one should not indulge in "tit for tat" like children, he said and asked Kharge to continue his statement.
Kharge said, "If I repeat what I said outside it would be difficult for them. You are asking an apology from those who fought for the country's Independence. They accused the Congress of holding 'Bharat Todo Yatra', to which I responded by saying that Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi gave their lives for the country. Who has given life from your side (saffron party)?"
Goyal said the Congress leader has no right to make such a statement as he does not remember history. He does not recall what happened in Jammu and Kashmir, and how China took over 38,000 km land from India during their regime. He also claimed the Congress insulted B R Ambedkar and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Slamming Kharge, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said, “We strongly condemn the statement made by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in Rajasthan yesterday. It's an Italian Congress which is running today. It is being said that he is a rubber stamp president."
Law minister Kiren Rijiju termed the comments as 'distasteful', 'unfortunate' and 'uncalled' for and said, "I can't believe that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge could stoop so low and use such objectionable remarks. He should understand his responsibilities as a leader of a political party. We're not enemies, we're rivals. It's distasteful, unfortunate and uncalled for."