A remark by Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agrawal linking some Hindu gods to alcohol led to a furore in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday afternoon, forcing two adjournments. He later expressed regret for the remark that was deemed unparliamentary and it was expunged by the deputy chairperson of the House.
Seek apology
The treasury benches, including the leader of the House Arun Jaitley, tore into the SP leader and sought his apology for hurting the sentiments of the Hindu community. It was only after Mr. Agarwal expressed regret that the House could resume discussion on the spate of lynchings in recent times.
The controversial remark came soon after Mr. Agarwal stated that some people had become custodians of the Hindu religion. BJP MPs, including Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ananth Kumar, demanded that the remark be withdrawn or expunged and Mr. Agrawal apologise for hurting religious sentiments.
“You have not realised the gravity of what he has said. He has linked every Hindu God to a brand of alcohol,” Finance, Defence and Corporate Affairs Minister Arun Jaitley told deputy chairperson P.J. Kurien. ‘
The turning to Mr. Agrawal, Mr Jaitley said: “You would be liable for prosecution had you said this outside. Would you show the audacity to say this in relation to any other religion?”
Derogatory statement
After adjourning the House to examine the records, Mr. Kurien concluded that the statement was “per se derogatory and hurt the sentiments of the majority community and God as it is believed.” Though he expunged Mr. Agrawal’s comments, the treasury benches did not rest till he expressed regret.
Congress leader Anand Sharma pointed to the example of a Minister making “derogatory” remarks about Goddess Durga in the same House last year. SP’s Ram Gopal Yadav said it won’t be appropriate to have double standards. “If that Minister had apologised, then Mr. Agrawal would apologise too.”
Expresses regret
Electronics and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad urged Mr. Agarwal to express genuine regret, to which he responded: “In my 40-year political career, I have have never hurt anyone’s religious sentiments. But if people are hurt, I express regret.”
