The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were reportedly disrupted repeatedly on Tuesday to discuss the anti-Muslim remarks made by Minister of State for Human Resource and Development Ram Shankar Katheria in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. Katheria was speaking Sunday at a funeral meet of a Dalit Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader who was allegedly killed by Muslim youths.
Congress moved both houses for a discussion on the issue on Tuesday.
At the funeral meeting of Arun Mahaur, the killed VHP leader, on Sunday, speeches equating Muslims to "demons" and "descendants of Ravanna" were made. Katheria, BJP MP from Fatehpur Sikri Babu Lal, BJP MLA Jagan Prasad Garg and other leaders of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh and the VHP were present at the event. Muslims were also warned of a "final battle," reports the Indian Express. In the speeches made, the audience was urged to take revenge for Mahaur's death.
"The sacrifice of my brother will not go in vain. Our youths will take revenge... Agar hum Hindu naujwan sapni maa se paida hue hain, eent ka jawab patthar se, khoon ka jawab khoon se denge (If we Hindus are born of our mother's womb, we will reply in kind, with blood). The revenge of the killing of one brother demands killing of ten rakshas," VHP district secretary Ashok Lavania was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.
The Samajwadi Party, the ruling party in Uttar Pradesh, said Tuesday that an investigation should be carried out as the statements made were "anti-national" and Katheria should be removed from the Cabinet.
Meanwhile, civilians also condemned the anti-Muslim speeches. Muslim groups took to streets on Tuesday in Delhi to protest against Katheria's remarks.
