| 22 September 2023
| Christie Anto
New Delhi, India - A legislative session in India's newly inaugurated parliament building took an ugly turn on Thursday when Ramesh Bidhuri, a Member of Parliament from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), made Islamophobic remarks and used communal slurs against a Muslim MP from the opposition, Kunwar Danish Ali of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).
The incident occurred during a debate on the success of India's historic moon mission, where Bidhuri, representing the South Delhi constituency, resorted to offensive language, calling Ali a "terrorist" and a "pimp." In an appalling display of bigotry, Bidhuri also used a derogatory term often directed at Muslims in India, saying, "You extremist… I am telling you, you circumcised."
The shocking episode concluded with an apparent threat from Bidhuri, who stated, "I will see this mulla outside," while at least two senior BJP leaders and former union ministers laughed beside him. "Mulla" is another pejorative term for Muslims in South Asia.
The incident swiftly went viral, igniting a firestorm of criticism from opposition parties and social media users, who demanded stringent action against Bidhuri.
Kunwar Danish Ali, the target of Bidhuri's offensive remarks, expressed his dismay and hurt but noted that he was not entirely surprised by the comments. He questioned the teachings of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological mentor of the BJP, and urged its leadership to address such behavior among its cadres. Ali also highlighted the broader implications of such incidents, stating, "If an elected legislator can be threatened inside a parliament like this, then it speaks volumes about what an average Muslim in this country would be facing."
Ali received support from fellow opposition members of parliament during the debate. Mahua Moitra, a parliamentarian from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), condemned the incident on social media and questioned whether the BJP would take action against Bidhuri. She criticized the BJP, stating, "Abusing Muslims, OBCs an integral part of BJP's culture."
Omar Abdullah, a politician from Indian-administered Kashmir, decried the mainstreaming of hatred against Muslims in India, expressing shock at the level of hatred displayed by the MP.
Jairam Ramesh, a parliamentarian from the Congress party, demanded Bidhuri's suspension from the lower house of parliament. He emphasized the need to maintain decorum and respect within the parliament, calling Bidhuri's language an insult to all members.
As outrage continued to mount within parliament, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh issued an apology, expressing regret if the remarks had hurt the opposition. The offensive comments were also expunged from parliamentary records. Om Birla, the speaker of the lower house of parliament, promised "strict action" against Bidhuri if such behavior recurred.
Ali, the aggrieved legislator, announced his intention to file a privilege notice with the speaker, seeking action against Bidhuri.
Political observers noted that Bidhuri's remarks are the latest in a series of anti-Muslim rhetoric and abuses used by members and supporters of the BJP. Ali Khan Mahmudabad, a political science professor at Ashoka University, described the incident as a reflection of the language already used in rallies and campaigns.
The incident has once again raised concerns about the divisive and polarizing rhetoric that has become increasingly prevalent in Indian politics, emphasizing the urgent need for tolerance, respect, and decorum within the country's legislative bodies.
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