Upp8ng the ante on the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday moved a privilege motion against Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Rajya sabha for his alleged controversial statement on BR Ambedkar.
In his privilege notice, Kharge, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said, “I hereby give a notice of question of privilege against Shah, Minister of Home Affairs under Rule 188 of Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha).”
Kharge pointed out that on December 17, Shah during his reply in Rajya Sabha on the discussion “Glorious Journey of 75 years of the Constitution of India” referring to Dr. B. R. Ambedkar had inter alia stated as under “Maanyavar abhi ek ek fashion ho gaya hai, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna nam agar bhagwan ka lete to 7 janmo tak tak swarg mil jata’.
“At the outset, I would like to state that it is well established that any misconduct in the presence of the House or casting reflections and making defamatory statements constitute a breach of privilege and contempt of the House,” the Congress leader said.
He said that in the instant case, the wordings as well as the tone and tenor of the above remarks by the Home Minister are clearly “satirical and made in a very bad taste”.
“To use the name of Ambedkar, the chief architect of Constitution of India, is a clear cut insult to Ambedkar. These remarks which have been made on the floor of the House are outright derogatory in nature and affront to Ambedkar,” Kharge alleged.
On Wednesday, even Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien also moved a privilege motion in the Upper House against Shah for his comments on Ambedkar.
Earlier in the say, Congress-led opposition staged a protest in the Parliament premises where they came face to face with the BJP leaders, who were also staging protestagainst Congress for insulting Ambedkar.
The Congress MPs scaled the parliament boundary, demanding an apology and the Home Minister’s resignation.
On the other hand, the BJP, too, has initiated a protest march, alleging insult of Ambedkar by the Congress.
In the protest, BJP leader Pratap Sarangi got injured. Sarangi alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi pushed an MP who fell on him following which he too fell.
A political row erupted over the alleged comments of Shah on Ambedkar. Shah has accused the opposition of circulating clipped video of his statement.
Kharge on Wednesday had demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sack Shah if he has respect for Ambedkar over his comments.
