Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan forced to tender apology twice in LS
New Delhi, Jul 29 (UNI) Under persistent pressure from treasury bench members, Samajwadi Party MP Azam Khan on Monday had to tender apology twice in the Lok Sabha for his anti-women remarks against BJP MP Rama Devi.
"I have said earlier also, she (Rama Devi) is like a 'behen saman' - sister," Mr Khan said within minutes the House met to to begin day's business after the weekend break.
"If my words have hurt anyone, I feel sorry and tender apology," he said for the second time after BJP MP Rama Devi said she has not heard and the member should repeat his words.
Earlier, soon after the directives from Speaker Om Birla, the Samajwadi Party Member said: "I have been a Parliamentary Affairs Minister twice in the state and also a Rajya Sabha member and nine-time MLA, I can never make any such statement with ill intent, still if my words have hurt any one, I tender apology".
Samajwadi Party leader and former UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav took objections to Rama Devi's remarks and for a brief period there was exchange of heated words between him and several BJP members.
Ms Rama Devi, who was on the chair on Thursday when the controversial remarks were made by Azam Khan, said the Samajwadi Party member has the "habit" of making such remarks outside the House also.
"Inki aadat jo bigdi hui hae, woh jorurat se zyada bigdi hui hae (He has got this bad habit, and this bad habit is something which is not desirable)," she said.
Speaker Om Birla said all the members should be careful about the dignity of the House and now that the member concerned has tendered apology, it is expected that such a thing is not repeated again in future by anyone.
"This House belongs to all. This is democracy, everyone has a right to speak. But we should be careful that nothing is said under which either in media or otherwise the image is affected," the Speaker said.
Amid pandemonium, lawmakers, including Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Smriti Irani and Ravi Shankar Prasad on Friday demanded exemplary action against the Samajwadi Party member for his anti-women remarks in the Lok Sabha.
Opposition leaders including Congress' Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Trinamool Congress' Kalyan Banerjee, NCP's Supriya Sule and DMK's Kanimozhi also had said they will back the decision of Speaker.
Ms Sitharaman has said she was extremely grateful to all the members who stood up in support of Rama Devi.
''I thank every member who supported the cause (demand for action against Khan), but when we support, we should not put any conditions or riders,'' she said.
Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has said exemplary actions should be taken against Azam Khan and the entire country should get a clear message.
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