In a shocking display of derogatory language and hate speech, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha MP Ramesh Bidhuri targeted Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP Danish Ali with violent anti-Muslim slurs during the Lok Sabha proceedings on Thursday night. The incident has sparked outrage and condemnation from various quarters.
During the heated exchange in the Lok Sabha, Ramesh Bidhuri was captured on camera making offensive remarks about Danish Ali. He can be heard shouting, “Yeh ugrawaaadi (militant), yeh aatankwaadi hai (terrorist), ugrawadi hai, yeh aantankwaadi hai” (He is a militant, he is a terrorist). Bidhuri went further, using derogatory slurs like “Mullah aatankwadi,” “bharwa” (pimp), and “katwa” (circumcised) in reference to Danish Ali.
“Baahar phenko iss mulle ko” (Throw this ‘Mullah’ out), Bidhuri added, exacerbating the already offensive nature of his remarks. Congress leader Kodikunnal Suresh, who was presiding over the proceedings, had to intervene and urge MPs to sit down. Suresh later stated that he had instructed officials to ensure that Bidhuri’s offensive comments were expunged from the parliamentary records.
The incident has drawn widespread criticism from across the political spectrum and civil society. Many have condemned Bidhuri’s use of derogatory language as unacceptable and detrimental to the decorum of the Lok Sabha. The derogatory remarks have raised concerns about the use of hate speech in the Indian Parliament.
Despite the severe backlash and condemnation, the BJP has not taken any immediate action against Ramesh Bidhuri. However, Defence Minister and Deputy Leader of the Lok Sabha Rajnath Singh did express regret over the remarks made by Bidhuri. Singh stated, “I express regret if the opposition is hurt by the remarks made by the member.” He also noted that he had not personally heard the offensive remarks during the proceedings.