‘Saala’ not an abuse, says Gulab Chand Kataria in self-defence

Rajasthan home minister Gulab Chand Kataria has come up with a strange explanation to defend himself after hurling abuse at former prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. Caught on video using derogatorylanguage against him, he tried to justify his choice of words, saying that ‘saala’ was not an abuse because the term is used for ‘brother-in- law’. “Saala shabd koi gaali nahi hai. Patni ka bhai hota hai saala,” he said. It was a complete volte face by the senior BJP leader who kept changing his stance over his controversial speech to party workers on Sunday. He first said, “I don't speak foul language. My intention was not to insult the former PM. However, I will examine the video and if there are any insulting words, I will apologise for that," said Kataria.

A little later, he said, “I was just comparing how two PMs are treated when they go abroad. The word just came out while I was in the flow (of the speech). I certainly regret it. Even in the Vidhan Sabha, if you ask the Opposition, I sometimes make such errors, but I do realise it.” In his tweet, he apologised, but did not accept the use of foul language. “I did not use derogatory language for former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh; still, if anyone is hurt, I apologise,” he said.

Kataria who is prone to “foot in mouth” also called Dr Singh an “aira-gera nathu khaira”, apart from the derogatory words used earlier.

While addressing a party meeting in Churu, he said, “Desh ka pradhan mantri pehle Manmohan Singh jab America utarta tha, toh saala ko receive karne kay liye aira-gera nathu khaira mantri ja karke airport se lekar ata tha. Lekin ab Hindustan ka pradhan mantri jab jata hai, toh Obama swayam uth karke jata hai uski agwani karne ke liye.” (When former PM Manmohan Singh used to go to America, ordinary ministers used to receive the saala. Now when the Indian PM goes to the US, (Barack) Obama himself comes down to receive him.)

Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot had earlier been a target of Kataria’s loose talk. During campaigning for the state assembly elections, Kataria who saw that a CBI inquiry against him in an encounter case was politically motivated and at the behest of Ashok Gehlot, would refer to him in his speech as “tu” instead of the honorific “aap”.

Political rivals have so far ignored the senior BJP leader’s utterances, but this time, the Congress has demanded action against him. Rajasthan PCC chief Sachin Pilot said, "The statement given by Kataria in public indicates his mental degradation. His remarks have also proved that the BJP has lost all moral ground and is presenting its unworthy mindset."

Mr Gehlot too condemned Kataria's derogatory remarks. " He should be sacked from his post. BJP leaders are shamelessly saying whatever they want. They have literally crossed all limits," he wrote in a Facebook post.