Rajnath Singh says in LS Rahul insulted India in UK; seeks his apology

The second half of the budget session started on a stormy note in the Lok Sabha on Monday, with the entire proceedings getting stalled over two adjournments as members of the ruling BJP and many Opposition parties indulged in parallel sloganeering - with the saffron side demanding Rahul Gandhi's apology for his remarks made in the UK about the Indian democracy and the Opposition side seeking a JPC probe into the Hindenburg-Adani issue and also condemning the central agencies' action. The stage for the stormy events was set right at the beginning of the day when defence minister Rajnath Singh made a statement accusing Gandhi of insulting Indian democracy with his comments in the UK and seeking his apology before the House.

Gandhi was absent in the House during the day with not many Congress MPs appearing sure whether he has already returned from the UK or was expected to return soon.

Just after the Speaker completed the obituary references, Singh was allowed to speak. "Rahul Gandhi, who is a member of this House, insulted India in London. I demand that his statements should be condemned by all members of this House. I request the Speaker that he should be asked to apologise before the House," Singh said. He claimed Gandhi's remarks in London amounted to seeking other countries' intervention.


Even as the Opposition MPs started protesting with their demands in the Well, parliamentary Affairs minister Pralhad Joshi intervened to condemn Gandhi's remarks and demanded an apology. "When the UPA Cabinet, led by the then PM Manmohanji, comprising such seniors like Pranab Mukherjee sahab and Sharad Pawarji promulgated an ordinance, Rahul Gandhi had publicly called it 'nonsense' and torn it. It was at that time Indian democracy was put in danger due to Rahul Gandhi's action. Now, under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi Ji, Indian democracy has become all the more stronger," he said.

BJP MPs then started raising slogans "hai hai Rahul Gandhi, mafi mango Rahul Gandhi". From the Well, Opposition MPs chanted, "we want JPC, we want justice". While over a dozen Opposition parties joined the protest, Trinamool MPs were seen sitting on their seats.

After appealing to the members to allow the House to function, the Speaker adjourned the House till 2 pm. The same scenes of protest played out when the House reassembled, prompting the presiding officer to adjourn the House till Tuesday morning even as efforts by some Opposition MPs, including Congress floor leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, to speak got lost in the din.