A video featuring Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge circulated widely earlier this week, in which he admonished a Rajya Sabha MP to be quiet, saying “chup baith.” Kharge became agitated when BJP MP Neeraj Shekhar interrupted him during his address in the Rajya Sabha on Monday.
This incident occurred as Kharge was criticizing various central government policies, particularly concerning inflation rates. Reports indicate that Neeraj Shekhar, the son of former Prime Minister and past Congress member Chandra Shekhar, interjected during Kharge’s speech.
During the discussion in Rajya Sabha, as Kharge continued to speak, BJP MP Neeraj Shekhar made some comments, prompting the Leader of the Opposition to retort that he was a “friend of his father,” the late Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar.
He instructed Neeraj Shekhar to sit down, resulting in a commotion among the treasury benches.
“Tera baap bhi idhar mere sath tha. Tu kya baat karta hai. Chup baith (Your father was also here with me. What are you talking about? Sit down!),” he stated. A video capturing the exchange quickly gained traction online on Monday.
Chairman Dhankhar praised Chandra Shekhar as one of the nation’s prominent leaders and urged everyone to remain calm, asking Kharge to retract his comments.
Kharge responded by asserting that he had worked alongside Chandra Shekhar and deemed him a comrade. “I do not insult anyone; I have collaborated with Chandra Shekhar ji…” Kharge remarked.
Effigy of Kharge Burned
On Tuesday, supporters of Chandra Shekhar in Ballia burned an effigy of Mallikarjun Kharge in reaction to his remarks about the late Prime Minister.
Kharge’s comments were received poorly in his home district, with supporters of Chandra Shekhar accusing him of committing “an unpardonable crime” by using “indecent and disrespectful language about such a respected figure.”
The protest witnessed participation from several BJP officials, including former TD College students’ union president Arun Singh, along with district panchayat members Manvendra Vikram Singh and Santosh Pandey.
An effigy of Kharge was also set ablaze in Raniganj town.
Ballia Superintendent of Police Omvir Singh informed PTI that no FIR had been filed regarding the incident.
Chandra Shekhar’s grandson and BJP MLC Ravi Shankar Singh Pappu criticized Kharge’s statement on social media.
“The manner in which Shri Kharge ji treated MP Shri Neeraj Shekhar ji (the son of Chandrashekhar) in the House reflects his feudal mindset. The decline of Congress can be attributed to his attitude and arrogant ideology,” Pappu stated.
“Congress party’s heir apparent, Shri Rahul Gandhi, should explain why his party’s leader behaved in this disgraceful manner in reference to the late Chandrashekhar ji,” he added.
(With contributions from various agencies)
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