Scindia dares BJP to prove antiDalit charge
Says he will resign from LS if claim is proved
Accusing BJP leaders of “tarnishing” his image by alleging that he had made an “anti-Dalit” remark, Congress’ Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday threatened to resign from the Lok Sabha if the charge against him was established.
Raising the issue after the House reassembled following the swearing in of the new President, Scindia challenged the Bharatiya Janata Party members to prove their “baseless allegation” or resign from Parliament’s Lower House.
Naming three BJP MPs – Virendra Kumar, Manohar Utwal and Nand Kumar Chauhan – Scindia said he possessed a video recording that would establish that the charges made by the BJP leaders against him were “totally unfounded”.
“They should tender a public apology”, said Scindia, the Congress chief whip in the Lok Sabha.
“The function spot was not cleaned with Ganga water (as alleged) and no anti-Dalit statement was made”, Scindia said, adding that he had been tirelessly working for all sections of society for the past 15 years.
“They (BJP MPs) have been making wrong and baseless allegations against me for the past few days. My image has been tarnished. I seek your protection,” Scindia told Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.
Congress leader in the Lok Sabha, M Mallikarjuna Kharge stood in Scindia’s support, while also asking the Speaker to revoke her Monday’s suspension of six Congress MPs.
This was followed by several Congress leaders, including Scindia, Kantilal Bhuria and KC Venugopal, rushing to the well of the House and shouting slogans.
As unruly scenes persisted, the Speaker remarked: “If you are bent upon creating a ruckus, how will the House run? I have told you to raise your concerns under the rules. Don’t try to teach me (how to run the House)”. As the din continued, Mahajan adjourned the House for the day.