Shiv Sena, BJP face criticism in Lok Sabha over force feeding row

New Delhi: A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member of the Lok Sabha had to apologize on Wednesday for making a provocative statement against a minority community that triggered uproar in the lower house and an abrupt adjournment of proceedings.

The member of Parliament (MP), Ramesh Bidhuri of Delhi, extended the apology when the House reassembled after a 15-minute adjournment. “I have not tried to hurt anyone’s religious sentiments. Still if I have hurt anyone, I apologize,” Bidhuri said.

The incident took place when Congress MP M.I. Shanavas raised in the House the incident of misbehaviour by some Shiv Sena lawmakers in Maharashtra Sadan in the national capital. Shanavas, citing some newspaper reports, said 11 Sena MPs had a fight with staff at the sadan and tried to force feed a Muslim manager, who was on a Ramzan fast.

“We condemn their behaviour,” Shanavas said.

Bidhuri then got up and shouted “go to Pakistan, this is Hindustan,” triggering loud protests from the opposition benches. Bidhuri sprang out of his seat and moved towards opposition benches, rolling up his sleeves. Union minister and Shiv Sena leader Anant Geete, who had stood up to speak on the same issue, stopped him and pushed him back towards the treasury benches.

Other BJP MPs also rushed to stop Bidhuri.

When the House reassembled, parliamentary affairs minister M. Venakaiah Naidu said the BJP and the government did not approve of such behaviour.

“It’s a sensitive issue. No one knows what exactly happened. The speaker can seek a report on the incident in Maharashtra Sadan. But the MPs should keep the decorum of the House.”

After Bidhuri’s apology, the opposition wanted Geete to read out his full statement. Geete had said earlier that opposition MPs should refrain from telling lies during the holy month of Ramzan.

When the speaker did not allow the matter to be taken forward, the members of the Congress, Nationalist Congress Party and the Left parties staged a walkout in protest.