Modi pacifies, opposition crucifies
5 Dec 2014 11:57 PM GMT
“I was informed about the statement which caused the controversy on the day BJP Parliamentary Party was to meet. In the meeting I strongly disapproved such remarks and I said we should avoid using such language,” he said. A visibly embarrassed PM saying Jyoti was a first time minister and a new MP, urged the house, “She has apologised and the House should gracefully accept it. I would like to urge others members of Parliament to continue its work in the interest of the nation.”
Both the Houses have not functioned since December 1 with the opposition demanding the minister be removed for her hate speech.
Earlier in the day, members of opposition parties including Congress, Trinamool Congress, SP, BSP among others continued with protests inside the House demanding resignation of Jyoti. The Deputy Chairman P J Kurien asked ministers to lay the listed papers but adamant Opposition started sloganeering and trooped into the Well. The opposition parties continued their protest even after Kurien took up Zero Hour mentions. With members unrelenting, the House was adjourned for 15 minutes.
When the House reassembled after 15 mintues, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said the Prime Minister wants to make a statement and he should be allowed to do so. It was then that PM came in and gave his statement expressing displeasure at Jyoti’s remarks. CPI (M) leader in Rajya Sabha Sitaram Yechury said, “An apology means admission of guilt and in this case the Constitution has been violated. How can she remain a minister? Niranjan Jyoti must resign.”
On November 30, Jyoti had said, “The people of Delhi have to decide if they want a government of Ramzaadon (descendants of Ram) or of those who are illegitimately born.”
The statement by the Prime Minister came a day after both the Houses of Parliament were adjourned repeatedly with the Opposition demanding the sacking of Sadhvi. Despite continued protests, the government had rejected the demand for Sadhvi’s resignation, claiming that she had already apologised for her comment and she would continue as MoS for Food Processing Industries.
Meanwhile, in the Lok Sabha, a united opposition walked out just before lunch, alleging that their mics had been switched off intentionally to bar them from raising their voices. “We wanted the PM to clarify what he thinks of the minister’s statement,” said Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge.
Both the Houses have not functioned since December 1 with the opposition demanding the minister be removed for her hate speech.
Earlier in the day, members of opposition parties including Congress, Trinamool Congress, SP, BSP among others continued with protests inside the House demanding resignation of Jyoti. The Deputy Chairman P J Kurien asked ministers to lay the listed papers but adamant Opposition started sloganeering and trooped into the Well. The opposition parties continued their protest even after Kurien took up Zero Hour mentions. With members unrelenting, the House was adjourned for 15 minutes.
When the House reassembled after 15 mintues, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said the Prime Minister wants to make a statement and he should be allowed to do so. It was then that PM came in and gave his statement expressing displeasure at Jyoti’s remarks. CPI (M) leader in Rajya Sabha Sitaram Yechury said, “An apology means admission of guilt and in this case the Constitution has been violated. How can she remain a minister? Niranjan Jyoti must resign.”
On November 30, Jyoti had said, “The people of Delhi have to decide if they want a government of Ramzaadon (descendants of Ram) or of those who are illegitimately born.”
The statement by the Prime Minister came a day after both the Houses of Parliament were adjourned repeatedly with the Opposition demanding the sacking of Sadhvi. Despite continued protests, the government had rejected the demand for Sadhvi’s resignation, claiming that she had already apologised for her comment and she would continue as MoS for Food Processing Industries.
Meanwhile, in the Lok Sabha, a united opposition walked out just before lunch, alleging that their mics had been switched off intentionally to bar them from raising their voices. “We wanted the PM to clarify what he thinks of the minister’s statement,” said Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge.
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