The interpretation of a famous Biblical verse became a spirited subject of contention between the ruling and Opposition benches in the Assembly on Wednesday.
At the start of the budget discussion, Congress legislator V.D. Satheeshan raised a point of order seeking a ruling from the Chair on a contentious statement made by CPI(M) lawmaker M. Swaraj in the Assembly on Tuesday. He said Mr. Swaraj had stated that the Opposition, which was critical of the budget, should read the sixth verse of the seventh chapter of the Gospel according to Matthew.
“Don’t give that which is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls before the pigs, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces,” Mr. Satheeshan quoted the verse.
He said Mr. Swaraj had stopped short of reading the verse but his intention to insult the Opposition was clear. Following his cue, the media had reported the verse in its entirety. Mr. Swaraj had equated Opposition legislators to “dogs and pigs,” he said. Speaker P. Sreeramakrishnan told the Opposition, which rose in protest, not to make “noise over” attributed intentions that were not on records.
“The Chair was not conversant with the Bible. It will study the matter and make an appropriate ruling,” he said. The Speaker’s words failed to assuage the Opposition. They demanded a statement from the Chief Minister. Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala said the statement was insulting. IUML leader P.K. Kunhalikutty said the statement smacked of “mala fide intention.”
Pinarayi’s version
Finally, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan put the matter to rest. “I do not read the Bible nor am I conversant with Matthew’s Gospel. But I can say for sure it was not our intention to insult the Opposition. I request the Speaker to examine the issue and give his ruling,” he said.
