Many leaders emphasized that while opposition MPs had been suspended for much smaller offenses, Bidhuri’s expletives have upset the country’s communal harmony.
– Abdul Bari Masoud
Ramesh Bidhuri, a three-time MP and a prominent member of the ruling BJP, used some of the ugliest expletives on BSP MP Danish Ali during the special session of Parliament in its new edifice, which has caused outrage across the country. Rightfully questioning the “deafening silence” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah on the matter, opposition MPs said the “seven-star edifice (new building) saw the new culture of “hate” being inaugurated in Parliament. They said the RSS-BJP’s “hate culture” even swayed the highest lawmaking body of the land.
The five-day special session (September 17–22) convened without any logic passed the Women’s Reservation Bill, which envisages one-third of seats in Parliament and state assemblies, but it was marred by the “filthy outburst” of a senior lawmaker of the ruling party.
Addressing a press conference at his residence the next day of the sordid episode on September 22, Danish Ali said he did not sleep the whole night and wrote to the Speaker demanding strict action against the erring MP.
Ali wrote: “During the course of his speech (on the success of the Chandrayaan mission), he directed the most foul, abusive invective against me. Bhadwa (pimp), katwa (circumcised), mulla, ugravadi (Muslim extremist), and atankwadi (terrorist).”
Newspapers generally avoid using such derogatory terminologies. Although neither Bidhuri’s position as an elected representative in a republic nor the revered status of the House of the People prevented him from using profanity, it would be unfair to Ali to censor the words he spoke outside the House given that he felt compelled to bring the abuses to light, highlighting how deeply hate has permeated this country.
Ali emphasized a crucial point: such language is frequently used against Muslims outside of Parliament.
The Opposition parties and many others on social media sought Bidhuri’s immediate arrest as they were dismayed over the Speaker’s only verbal warning to the BJP member.
Many leaders emphasized that while opposition MPs had been suspended for much smaller offenses, Bidhuri’s expletives have upset the country’s communal harmony.
Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal took a swipe at the government over Bidhuri’s derogatory remarks, saying the “seven-star edifice” saw the new culture of “hate” being inaugurated in Parliament.
In a post on X, Sibal mentioned the derogatory words used by Bidhuri against Danish Ali and questioned the “silence” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah on the matter.
The proceedings of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha shifted from the old to the new Parliament building during the just-concluded session.
Jairam Ramesh, the head of communications for the Congress, stated: “The new Parliament began with Bidhuri’s words. This reveals the true motives of the BJP. This MP ought to face harsh punishment. The case is good for suspension. He also said the new Parliament building should be called “Modi Multiplex” or “Modi Marriot” as its ambience and feel were not suited to parliamentary functioning.
“The Prime Minister has given birth to a distorted socio-political culture against the rich parliamentary traditions of the country, in which one of his MPs glorified the terrorist who killed Mahatma Gandhi,” RJD chief Lalu Prasad remarked.
His party national spokesman and MP, Manoj Jha, said, “This is sad, but we are not surprised. This is the truth of Modi’s Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. The MP who hailed Godse as a patriot belongs to which party? If this is happening in Parliament, what would the Muslim on the street be facing? Why is the Prime Minister silent? Does this behavior have his sanction?”
On the same line, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said: “Bidhuri is not alone in the BJP who speaks this language; there are countless others who have made toxic remarks. Bidhuri should not be allowed to contest any election in the future.”
AAP leader Sanjay Singh said, “This is the language of the mafia. Is this what the RSS teaches? …Om Birla should act.”
Anger and astonishment were also expressed on social media in response to two former ministers, Harsh Vardhan and Ravi Shankar Prasad, who were purportedly caught laughing while their colleague was attacking and degrading an entire community.
“Had he only called us terrorists? We are accustomed to this slur. We are called terrorists daily on social media. But he used words that cannot be repeated on television. We feel ashamed and angry as well. This is how Muslims are being treated. I wonder how the leaders who support this kind of narrative sleep at night,” former Chief Minister of J&K Omar Abdullah said.
Muslim MPs also expressed their anguish and said they were not surprised by such utterances, as is normal in RSS-BJP discourse.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi noted that there is nothing surprising in this. The BJP is an abyss; a new low is discovered every day. I am convinced there will be no action. He may be appointed as Delhi BJP chief. Muslims are treated in India today just like the Jews were treated in Hitler’s Germany. I have a suggestion: Modi should translate this video into Arabic and send it to his friends abroad.”
Echoing his words, Samajwadi Party MP Hasan Ali said, “Parliament is now being used as a platform to humiliate Muslims. We never thought we would see this day in India. What is the message Parliament is sending out to the world?”
Recalling the “vulgar expletives, communal remarks, and vile comments”, Congress leader K. Suresh wrote: “The fact that a member of Parliament is being attacked with the worst form of abuse and insulted for being a Muslim is a clear sign of the dangers posed to our nation’s communal harmony and fundamental rights. I am utterly shocked and absolutely repulsed at the fact that a member of Parliament of the ruling party could openly make such heinous comments and make derogatory remarks based on a fellow member’s religion and threaten him with assault outside the Parliament precincts.”
As the BJP faced flak over Bidhuri’s utterances, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said the party served Bidhuri with a show-cause notice. However, it’s another controversial MP Ishikant Dubey who questioned Ali’s conduct in the House and urged the Speaker to form an inquiry committee to look into statements made by the BSP MP and members from parties like the TMC and the DMK in Lok Sabha.
The INDIA bloc parties rallied behind Ali, who said it was nothing less than hate speech and demanded that the matter be referred to the Privileges Committee of the House.
