Congress wants sedition charge against MP in colour remark row
new delhi — The Congress party on Monday said that former BJP MP Tarun Vijay was “spelling out his party’s ideology” in his controversial remarks on south Indians and demanded that a case of sedition be registered against him.
Raising the matter during Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said that the remarks came from no ordinary man.
“He has been editor of RSS mouthpiece Panchjanya and has written various books and numerous columns in various newspapers explaining his party’s ideology,” Kharge said.
“Tarun Vijay was spelling out his party’s ideology and the government should file an FIR against their leader for violating Article 15 of the Constitution,” Kharge said, adding that India is a secular country, “but some parties with such ideologies” are indulging in these acts. “They are creating problems for the entire country. Today they seek apology after humiliating, insulting.” Kharge said recalling Bhimrao Ambedkar’s words from a 1949 speech warning “We will be slaves again”.
“It is dangerous for India’s Integrity,” said Kharge, likening it with Hitler’s ideology. “An FIR should be registered against him. His remarks are anti-national and divisive. A case of sedition should be filed against him,” Kharge demanded.
Saying that attacks on Africans in India had nothing to do with racism, Tarun Vijay told Al Jazeera last week: “If we were racist, why would we have all the entire south... why do we live with them if we are racist. We have black people around us.”
Later Vijay apologised. “Feel bad, really feel sorry. My apologies to those who feel (what) I said was different than what I meant.”
Earlier, the Congress had given an adjournment motion notice over the issue in the House which was rejected by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. —