The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday issued a show cause notice to party MP Ramesh Bidhuri on the instruction of party president JP Nadda for his use of unparliamentary language against Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP Danish Ali, sources said. Bidhuri’s communally insensitive remarks, made during the discussion on the Chandrayan-3 Mission in Lok Sabha, have been expunged from the proceedings. The BSP’s MP, Danish Ali, wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla regarding the BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri’s communal remarks in the Lok Sabha adding that it was “heartbreaking” to him as a minority member. “I write to you with deep anguish regarding the speech given in Lok Sabha by an MP of the BJP Ramesh Bidhuri during the discussion on Chandrayaan’s success,” MP Ali wrote in his letter. “During the course of his speech he directed the most foul abusive invectives against me which are part of the record of the Lok Sabha,” he added.
Terming it “unfortunate” he wrote, “This is most unfortunate and the fact that it has happened in a new parliament building under your leadership as Speaker is truly heartbreaking for me as a minority member of this great nation and an elected member of Parliament as well.” “I, therefore, intend to give this Notice under rules 222, 226, and 227 of the rules of procedures and conduct of business in Lok Sabha and direction of the Speaker against Ramesh Bidhuri, MP,” he added in his letter. He further requested to refer this matter to the Committee Of Privileges under rule 227 of the rules of procedure and conduct of business in Lok Sabha for examination, investigation and Report. “Since this is the only way out to discipline an experienced member so that the atmosphere of our country is not vitiated any further. I request your good self to kindly order an inquiry into the matter,” he added. Sources said Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla took note of Ramesh Bidhuri’s remarks and gave him a warning.
An exclusive ground survey conducted by India News on Friday sought the opinions of respondents about the proceedings in Parliament and the use of derogatory language in Parliament. The majority (39.74%) considered it “very shameful,” indicating a strong negative sentiment. Additionally, 14.10% termed it hate speech while 7.69% found it to be hurtful to religious sentiments. As for the appropriate action to be taken against Ramesh Bidhuri for his language, the responses were fairly evenly distributed. A notable proportion (28.21%) believed that his Parliament membership should be revoked, while a similar percentage (25.64%) felt he should be let off after being given a warning.
Regarding whether the BJP should suspend Ramesh Bidhuri from the party, the majority (47.44%) supported this action, indicating a significant level of dissatisfaction with his behaviour in Parliament. Most notably, a substantial majority (83.33%) believed that the language used in Parliament was deteriorating, suggesting a widespread perception of a decline in the quality of discourse.
Meanwhile, members of the Opposition have come down heavily over Ramesh Bidhuri’s communal remarks against Ali and sought strict action against him. Congress Lok Sabha MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury asked the Speaker to have the matter examined in detail by the Privileges Committee and take punitive action against him. “Considering the circumstances and the brazen violation of all norms and rules relating to the functioning of the House, it would only be appropriate to have the matter examined in detail by the Privileges Committee and punitive action taken against the errant Member, Ramesh Bidhuri,” Adhir Ranjan wrote in a letter to the Speaker on Friday.
