LS Speaker to hold all-party meet on Azam Khan

July 26, 2019 13:24

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla says he will hold a meeting with leaders from all parties and then decide on Azam Khan.

This comes after women members in Lok Sabha on Friday spoke in one voice condemning the sexiest remarks by SP member Azam Khan against Bihar MP Rama Devi and demanded that he apologise or else he should be suspended from the House.

During the Zero Hour, Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani said the remarks of Khan in Lok Sabha on Thursday during the debate of Triple Talaq Bill were a "blot" on all legislators, including men.

"This is a blot on all legislators including men. We cannot remain silent spectators to it. We have to speak in one voice that this is unacceptable," Irani said.

Supporting Irani, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said either Khan should tender an apology or he should be suspended from the House. Cutting across party lines, several MPs condemned Azam Khan's remarks and demanded strict action against him.

Who said what

Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury: Congress party is against disrespect of women. There have been incidents when Sonia Gandhiji was called 'Italy ki katputli' etc. in the Parliament.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman: It is very encouraging to see everyone stand up and speak in once voice condemning what happened yesterday. We look towards you (LS Speaker) for an exemplary action against him.

To politicize an issue related to women is outrageous, we have to stand together so why the hesitation in some? Why the dilemma? Why add riders? I am not naming anyone for people (pointing towards Congress MPs) to interrupt my speech.

TMC MP, Mimi Chakraborty: Nobody can stand in the Parliament and tell a woman "look into my eyes and talk." Speaker sir, all women here are expecting something big from you on this.

BJP MP Smriti Irani: Let us not reduce this to a problem of just women. This is a blot on all legislators including men. This is not a House where men come in and 'Kisi aurat ki aankhon mein jhanka jaye'. The entire nation watched yesterday what happened. This House passed the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Bill. I appeal to all to speak in one voice- You cannot misbehave with a woman and get away with it by just dramatizing it.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Can CSK return to winning ways against bruised SRH?

Smarting from back-to-back defeats, defending champions Chennai Super Kings will be desperate to return to winning ways when they face a formidable but bruised Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL match in Chennai on Sunday.

'Anti-skill' deliveries needed to punch raging batters

Bowlers need to find "innovative ways to execute deliveries with a touch of "anti-skill" to challenge the range-hitting batsmen in the ongoing IPL, reckons Kolkata Knight Riders assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate.

What Delhi duties does Modi plan for Shivraj Singh?

Speaking at a rally in Madhya Pradesh's Harda on April 24, Modi praised Chouhan saying the two had served together in the party organisation and also as chief ministers.

In Pictures - India win men's, women's, team compound Archery World Cup gold

The team of Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Aditi Gopichand Swami and Parneet Kaur, who qualified as top seed, dropped just four points from 24 arrows to down the sixth seeds by a handsome margin and open their account in the season-opening...

Arjuna awardee CRPF officer faces sacking over sexual abuse charges

After allegations of sexual harassment by a group of female CRPF personnel, the force conducted an investigation and determined his guilt, sources said.