Mumbai/IBNS/UNI: Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee working president and former minister Mohammad Arif (Naseem) Khan Saturday wrote a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, demanding immediate, permanent suspension of BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri for allegedly making insulting remarks against BSP MP Kuvar Danish Ali and DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi in parliament.
He wrote in the letter that Parliament is referred to as the temple of democracy; it works on the principles and ethos enshrined in our Constitution. The fundamental principle on which our nation stands is secularism, which underlines respect for all religions and beliefs and promotes unity in diversity.
However, Bidhuris comments, unfortunately, completely deviate from this cherished value and are an embarrassment to our democratic traditions, he continued.
It is very unfortunate and disturbing that language which was earlier confined to street debates related to right-wing organisations like RSS and VHP has now entered parliament through BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri, the Congress leader said.
Such an insulting and shameful statement is not only an insult to an MP, but an insult to parliament, the sanctum sanctorum of our democracy, he noted.
Hence, Khan demanded that Lok Sabha Speaker Birla should send a strong message to others through an immediate, permanent suspension of Bidhuri for his remarks, which would uphold the values and dignity of the Lok Sabha, he added.
Bidhuri, who sparked a row with his communal comments in Parliament, received a warning on Friday of severe action from Om Birla.
His comments have been expunged from the records.
Confronting a backlash, the BJP sent a show-cause notice to its MP asking him to explain his unparliamentary language within 15 days.
In a video from Lok Sabha, Bidhuri could be heard repeatedly hurling abuses and Islamophobic slurs at Danish Ali while making a point.
