House humour amidst angry scenes

NEW DELHI: Amid the angry exchanges between the Opposition and the Treasury bench in the Lok Sabha over the caste violence in Maharashtra on New Year’s Day, there was a humourous exchange between Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge which sent the Lower House members into peals of laughter.

When the Congress leader began to speak on the issue of caste violence in Maharashtra, Kharge referred to the rejection of his adjournment motion on the issue by Ms Mahajan.

Ms Mahajan misheard Kharge’s statement and thought he had said that his adjournment motion has been accepted (swikaar ho gaya), to which Mr Kharge clarified that he had said it has been rejected or “aswikar ho gaya”.

“I too know a little bit of Hindi (Mereko bhi thoda thoda Hindi ata hai),” Mr Kharge said, leading the entire House to burst into peals of laughter. Hailing from Karnataka, Mr Kharge is not exactly known for his proficiency in Hindi. Ms Mahajan, on her part, replied, “I find it difficult to hear, as you people make so much noise.” To this, Mr Kharge retorted with wit: “Will let you know about a good doctor,” triggering another peal of laughter.”