BJP members protest in Lok Sabha over Rahul Gandhi's 'rape in India' barb

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's "rape in India" barb at the Modi government at an election rally in Jharkhand triggered furious protests in Lok Sabha on Friday by BJP members who sought an apology from him, with Union minister Rajnath Singh stating that leaders like him have no "moral right" to be in Parliament.

The BJP protest, led by the party's women MPs who assembled together just near the Well to attack Gandhi, derailed the scheduled business of Lok Sabha and forced Speaker Om Birla to adjourn the proceedings twice.

Friday was the last day of the Winter Session.

Amid the din in the House, DMK's Kanimozhi defended Gandhi as Congress members also came out of their seats in protest and asked the Speaker to take up the Question Hour.

She said Gandhi did not make the remarks in the House and that he was referring to cases of sexual assaults and violence against women in the country.

Kanimozhi's reaction came after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi asked her and NCP leader Supriya Sule to express their opinion about Gandhi's remarks.

Joshi termed her response "unfortunate".

Speaking at a public meeting in Jharkhand, where assembly elections are underway, Gandhi had said on Thursday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised 'Make in India' but "wherever you see now you find 'rape in India'" in different parts of the country.

The saffron party seized on his "rape in India" barb to corner his party.

The protests began as soon as the House assembled. After the House paid tributes to those who had lost their lives in the 2001 Parliament attack on this day, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal said several BJP members had given notices of adjournment against Gandhi's remarks and they should be allowed to speak. Tearing into the Congress leader, Union minister Smriti Irani said he had "insulted" the women and men of India and claimed his remarks amounted to inviting people to rape women.

Seeking his apology, Irani said he should be punished.

Joining the issue, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attacked Gandhi and said such MPs don't have moral right to be a member of the House.

Gandhi has hurt not only the House but the entire country, he said.

Singh said the Modi government had started 'Make in India' programme to transform India from an importing nation into an exporting one. It is aimed at providing employment to youth in the country but people are now rhyming it with remarks which cannot be uttered, Singh said.