Intolerance debate: LS witnesses sparring between CPM MP Mohammad Salim and Rajnath Singh

NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha debate on “intolerance” on Monday witnessed a sparring between an aggressive CPM MP Mohammad Salim and home minister Rajnath Singh, after the former claimed that Singh had made a loaded Hindu comment in a magazine to describe the significance of Narendra Modi becoming the PM. Soon after Salim made the comment, Singh got up and protested while saying he was “never hurt so much” in his entire parliamentary career as he was on Monday.

“Mohd Salim has levelled a serious allegation against me. He should say when and where I made such a statement or apologise. A home minister who makes such a statement has no moral right to be the home minister.

I speak after weighing every word. People know Rajnath Singh can never make such a statement,” said Singh. Later in the day, the government asked the magazine to furnish evidence to substantiate what it has attributed to Singh as having said.

Following an emotional counter by Singh and persistent protests from the BJP benches, resulting in a series of adjournments, Speaker ruled removal of Salim’s controversial remark from the House records.