Never Been Hurt So Much in My Entire Parliamentary Career: Rajnath Singh on Salim's Allegations

Home Minister Rajnath Singh. |PTI
Home Minister Rajnath Singh. |PTI

An emotional Home Minister Rajnath Singh said in the Lok Sabha that he had never been “hurt so much” in his parliamentary career as today when CPM Mohd Salim accused him of making certain comments after Narendra Modi’s win in the 2014 general polls.

"Salim levelled a serious allegation against me. He should say when and where I made such a statement or apologise .... A home minister who makes such a statement has no moral right to be the home minister. I speak after weighing every word... People know Rajnath Singh can never make such a statement," Rajnath said in lower house.

 “I am hurt by what he has said. I have never been hurt so much in my entire parliamentary career,” Singh added.

 The home minister’s comments came after Salim accused the home minister of having made remarks on Modi as being a Hindu leader.

Treasury benches erupted in protest after Salim’s remarks.  Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Pratap Rudy, asked Salim to withdraw his remark so that the house could function normally till the Speaker Sumitra Mahajan takes a view by examining all sides, including authenticity of the report. Salim took objection to Rudy’s statement why was he asked to withdraw his comments as he read from a magazine report.

When the speaker asked Salim to agree, he declined leading to repeated adjournments of the house. The house adjourned four times as both the sides clashed. BJP MPs said Salim should apologise and withdraw his remarks, while opposition side quoted rule book saying CPM member was merely referring to article and these were not his comments.

As CPM and BJP Mps were clashing, Trinamool MP Sudip Bandopdhay said it was fixed match between the both sides as they did not want a discussion.

Finally, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Majahan ruled that under the provisions of rule 353 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, no allegation by a Member may be made unless an adequate notice has been given. After due consideration, I find that the statements by Mohammad Salim have been made without giving advance notice. Therefore, the remarks of Mohammad Salim shall not form part of the proceedings.

The house resumed functioning after Speaker’s ruling.

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