Congress chief’s ‘dog remark’ triggers backlash from BJP in RS

A huge row erupted in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday following Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s dog remark with the ruling BJP demanding an apology from the grand old party. On the sidelines of Bharat Jodo Yatra in Rajasthan on Monday, Kharge said that several Congress leaders laid their life in the freedom struggle but the BJP has not lost “even a dog” for the country.  On Tuesday, BJP MPs demanded an apology from the Congress chief as soon as the session began.

Reason for uproar in Rajya Sabha

Many interpreted the uproar being “created by the BJP” is part of the ruling dispensation’s ploy to undermine the opposition plans to counter the government on various issues. There is impasse in Parliament over multiple issues, particularly the Line of Actual Control (LAC) conflict between Indian and Chinese soldiers on December 9. Congress also led protests against the government and demanded a debate on the subject. “We condemn Mallikarjun Kharge’s comments, the way he used offensive language and tried to spread a lie. He should apologise for using offensive language in Alwar,” said Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal in Rajya Sabha. Kharge is also leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha.

What exactly did Kharge say?

Congress chief in Alwar said that Congress stood for the country and helped achieve independence, while its leaders also made great sacrifices, unlike the BJP. “Has even your [the BJP] dog at home died for the country? Still, they claim to be patriots and if we say something we are termed as deshdrohi (anti-nationals),” the Congress president had said. He also slammed the government for not allowing a discussion in parliament on the border clash with China, saying: “They (BJP government) talk like a lion outwardly, but if you see they act like a mouse.”

Kharge defends his comments

Defending his remarks against the BJP, Kharge said, “What I said during Bharat Jodo Yatra in Rajasthan’s Alwar was outside the House. What I said was politically outside the House, not inside.” He said: “There is no need to discuss that here. Secondly, I can still say that they had no role in the freedom struggle.”

-INDIA NEWS STREAM