New Delhi, Dec 28 (IBNS) : Union Minister Anantkumar Hegde on Thursday apologised in Parliament after days of protests by the opposition over his comment that his party, the ruling BJP, will "soon change the Constitution.
"My comment was misunderstood. I respect the constitution and believe that it is supreme. If, however, my statement has hurt anyone's sentiment, I have no problems in apologising for it," Hegde said in the Lok Sabha.
The government has already distanced itself from Hegde's comments with union minister Vijay Goel telling the Rajya Sabha, "The Government does not subscribe to views expressed by Hegde."
Opposition members, led by the Congress, stalled proceedings in both the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday demanding that the Minister resign. They also protested at the Gandhi statue in Parliament on Thursday morning.
At a function to celebrate his party's foundation day, Congress president Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of attacking the country's Constitution.
"The country's Constitution is under attack by the BJP. It is our duty to defend it," Rahul Gandhi told Congress workers and leaders at the function in Delhi.
"People should be aware and careful as they have threat from their own government and not from any outside source," said Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha.
Hegde, a five-term Lok Sabha lawmaker from the Uttara Kannada constituency in Karnataka, had kicked up the controversy at a recent rally, where he mocked "secularists", saying the BJP would “change the Constitution in days to come.”
According to media reports, Hegde also mocked secularists by saying they are unaware of their parentage.
He urged the people to identify with their religion or caste and said, "I will bow to you, you are aware of your blood. But if you claim to be secular, there arises a doubt about who you are."
He said he respects the Constitution but the BJP has come to power at the centre to change it and "it will be changed in the days to come".
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