Hope no Muslim MP is called Terrorist or bills Rushed: NC MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi in Lok Sabha
In a significant address to the Lok Sabha, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, the newly-elected MP from Srinagar, made a passionate plea to uphold the sanctity of the House and ensure that disparaging remarks against Muslim parliamentarians are restrained.
He urged the Speaker to lead the House as a beacon of democracy, emphasizing the importance of upholding the Constitution of India above party affiliations. Mehdi highlighted the need for the Speaker to handle both government and opposition voices with fairness and respect, indicating that his actions would define his legacy.
Mehdi pointed out a past incident where a member referred to a fellow Muslim MP as a “terrorist” and stressed the significance of preventing such disparaging remarks in the House. He expressed concerns about the treatment of Muslims across the country if such behavior goes unchecked, emphasizing the impact of such incidents on the broader Muslim community.
The incident Mehdi referred to took place during a special session last September, where former BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri had made derogatory remarks about former BSP’s Danish Ali, calling him a ‘Muslim terrorist’. The Speaker expunged these remarks from the records, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh apologized to the House for Bidhuri’s comments. Bidhuri later expressed regret for his objectionable remarks during a meeting of the Lok Sabha Privileges Committee in December.
Mehdi also emphasized the need for thorough discussions on critical bills, citing the passage of the Article 370 bill. In response, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla informed the House about the extensive debate that preceded the bill’s passage, countering Mehdi’s assertion of a rushed legislative process.
Mehdi’s address underscores the importance of maintaining decorum and respect within the Lok Sabha, particularly in relation to elected representatives. It also highlights the ongoing need for vigilance against discriminatory behavior and the importance of fostering an inclusive and respectful environment within the parliamentary setting.
