The Opposition members in the Rajya Sabha on Monday tried to corner defence minister Manohar Parrikar over his reported remarks against actor Aamir Khan even as the former denied having said what was
The Opposition members in the Rajya Sabha on Monday tried to corner defence minister Manohar Parrikar over his reported remarks against actor Aamir Khan even as the former denied having said what was quoted.
Soon after TMC MP Derek O’Brien raised the issue during the Zero Hour of “dangerous” rise in religious fundamentalism in the country, saying the government, ministers and people associated with the ruling party were “shooting their mouths off every day” and that the Prime Minister needs to come and say these are in fact mistakes and not thinking of the government, Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad quoted a report which said “Parrikar takes swipe at actor Aamir; Those who speak like this must be taught a lesson”.
“So may I ask him (Mr Parrikar who was sitting in the House) what lesson he is going to teach us... The entire nation should be told what type of action and lesson he is going to teach the minorities of this conuntry,” Mr Azad said.
To this, Mr Parrikar said: “I would only say one thing. Let the members see the video... And make up their mind.”
Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M) said what the minister had said was “highly objectionable”. “It is a matter that borders on the question of privilege. Tomorrow you are going to threaten me... You will say there will be a social boycott, we will make them withdraw what they have said,” he said.
Deputy Chairman P J Kurien tried to pacify the members. “Minister says please see the video. It means he has not said (as quoted in media.” Mr Parrikar said he did not take anyone’s name. “What is quoted is not what I have said. I never took the name of anyone, nor threatened anyone,” the Defence Minister said.
Recent reports had quoted Mr Parrikar as saying that anyone speaking against the country must be “taught a lesson” while referring to alleged anti-national sloganeering at JNU earlier this year as well as remarks by an “actor” who “had said that his wife wants to live out of India”.
Ram Gopal Yadav (SP) said he has seen the video in question and whatever the minister has said is a “direct threat” to the minorities of the country. Mr Azad again said if the defence minister had threatened Pakistan, everybody would have been with him. Amid uproar, BSP chief Mayawati said ever since the BJP- led government has assumed office at the Centre, religious minorities, especially Muslims, and dalits have been targeted.
Mr Azad said that an MP can be “pardoned”, but Defence Minister or Home Minister are supposed to protect the territorial integrity of the country. “Is this the way of protecting territorial integrity of the country You are alienating your own people,” said the Leader of Opposition. As the uproar continued, Mr Kurien said members could give a notice for discussion on the issue. He also said if a minister has given a provocative statement, there are rules to deal with it.
