VP mimicry row: 'No comment…' says Rahul Gandhi after he was seen filming video

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is caught in a controversy after he was seen recording a video on his phone of suspended TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee mimicking the actions of Rajya Sabha chairman, Jagdeep Dhankhar.

"I am not commenting," said Congress MP Rahul Gandhi. Earlier during the day, PM Modi had voiced his pain over the theatrics by a member in the 'sacred' Parliament complex, calling it 'unfortunate'.

Mimicry row:

On Tuesday, a video emerged online where Banerjee mimicked Dhankhar's mannerisms and physical limitations during a protest by the suspended Opposition members on the stairs of the Parliament on Tuesday.

The viral clip drew sharp condemnation from the ruling BJP. The chairman of the Upper House, too, took a serious view of the mimicry and expressed his anguish over it.

An advocate has filed a complaint against Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee for his mimicry of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on the premises of the Parliament complex.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi condemned the mimicry of the presiding officer in the Rajya Sabha by Banerjee as well as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

The issue was also raised by Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar in the House, after the video clip of mimicry was aired on TV news channels. Dhankhar vented his anguish in Rajya Sabha, saying he was personally hurt as his farmer and Jat backgrounds were targeted.

"Imagine what must be going through my heart when your senior leader videographs a Member of Parliament mocking the institution of the chairman," he said.