BJP, INLD members spar over an idiom for 24 mins

INLD MLAS FOUND THE IDIOM, USED BY HEALTH MINISTER ANIL VIJ, AS AN ‘INSULT’ TO MEMBERS; IT WAS LATER EXPUNGED BY SPEAKER

CHANDIGARH: Guess what the ruling BJP and the opposition INLD legislators sparred over in the state assembly for about 24 minutes on Tuesday? The answer is: an idiom.

The idiom, which is used in colloquial Punjabi to derisively indicate if someone stands witness for another person, cannot be reproduced here, as it was expunged by assembly speaker Kanwar Pal from the proceedings of the House following an objection from members of the opposition INLD.

The legislators led by Leader of Opposition Abhay Singh Chautala, who found the muhavara (idiom) uttered by health minister Anil Vij an “insult” to members, even threatened at one stage to not let the House function until the minister regretted his remark and his words were expunged.

The INLD legislators said the insulting remark was aimed at a senior party MLA for speaking on the privilege motion brought against Congress MLA Karan Singh Dalal. When Abhay asked Vij to withdraw his remark made during a discussion on privilege motion against a Congress member, the latter flatly refused.

“How can I take it back? It is an idiom taught in books,” the minister said. The Congress also joined in, backing the INLD demand.

Abhay said that no one could be allowed to abuse another member. “What does the minister mean by saying it is an idiom. No one could be allowed to abuse another member,” he said.

When Dalal said what if someone used another idiom, Bandar ke haath mein ustara (razor in a monkey’s hand), Vij said they could say anything they like and he would not feel offended. “In every dialogue, (Congress legislator) Kuldeep Sharma keeps saying that he (Vij) has not got hair cut or beard trimmed. Ustare ka kaam shuru kar diya kya?” the minister said, refusing to express regret.

Vij said he had no objection to use of idioms. “They are not unparliamentary. In which dictionary, these are mentioned as bad words. Speaker sir, I want your ruling on this,” he said.