Samajwadi Party MP Naresh Agrawal’s controversial comment on linking Hindu gods and goddess to brands of alcohol led to a ruckus in the Rajya Sabha after which the politician was forced to retract it.
Agrawal’s comments created an uproar in the parliament with allegations that the SP leader insulted Lord Ram. Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien said Agrawal should not have made these remarks which “per se are derogatory” and should withdraw them. He ordered that the statement should be expunged from the records of the House.
The Samajwadi leader later said if his remarks had hurt the sentiment of anyone he was withdrawing them.
The controversial statement came when he was talking in the context of how some people have become Hindu religion’s ‘thekedar’ (contractors).
When the BSP MP made the comment, MPs sitting next to him were seen having a good laugh over it. A moment later there was a voice saying that he insulted Lord Ram.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said if Agrawal had made the derogatory comments outside the House he would be liable to be prosecuted.
As loud chants of ‘maafi maango’, ‘maafi maango’ were raised, Jaitley questioned whether the MP will have the audacity to say this about gods of any other religion.
Later on, he clarified that he is a Hindu and worships Lord Ram. Agrawal said he was just quoting a writing on the wall.
“I exposed them who are doing politics over Lord Ram,” the MP told reporters after the House was adjourned till 4 PM following an uproar over his remarks.
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