Dhankhar mimicry row: PM Modi's phone call and Banerjee's defense
Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman, Jagdeep Dhankhar, on Wednesday, said that he received a phone call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who expressed deep concern and condemnation over the alleged disrespectful behavior by some MPs. This came after video clips of suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee mimicking Dhankhar were broadcast on TV and shared on social media. Banerjee, on Wednesday, defended his actions, stating that "mimicry is an art" and that he immensely respects the vice president.
Why does this story matter?
As the Rajya Sabha reconvened on Tuesday, Dhankhar slammed the incident, calling it "ridiculous, shameful and unacceptable." He said, "The Office of the Chairman, Rajya Sabha, and the Office of the Speaker are very different. Political parties will have their crosscurrents, they will have exchanges, but imagine a senior leader of your party, videographing another member of another party. Mimicry of the Chairman, mimicry of the Speaker." Notably, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was seen recording Banerjee on his phone.
Watch: Banerjee mimicks Dhankhar
PM Modi shares his own experience with insults
Dhankhar assured the PM that the actions of a few would not deter him from performing his duty and upholding the Constitution's principles. He stated, "I'm committed to those values from the bottom of my heart. None of the insults will make me change my path." PM Modi told Dhankhar that he himself has experienced such insults for over 20 years but found it unfortunate that it could happen to a constitutional office like the Vice President and within Parliament.
President Murmu dismayed by the act
NDA leaders stand during Parliament proceedings to support Dhankhar
Meanwhile, leaders from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) participated in the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday while standing in their respective seats in a show of solidarity with Dhankhar. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi has demanded a formal apology from the opposition. He said that the opposition bloc takes pleasure in ridiculing people who come from humble backgrounds. Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal called the act an insult to the Jat community, farmers, and the OBC community.
Congress Jairam Ramesh shares clip of PM mimicking RaGa
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh defended the act and said that the row created around it was a "desperate attempt" to divert attention away from the suspension of 142 MPs. He also shared an old video clip that showed PM Modi impersonating Rahul Gandhi and wrote, "Remember who mimicked whom and that too in the Lok Sabha?" Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge asked the ruling party to maintain calm and said that his caste is also often attacked.
Who mimicked whom in Lok Sabha, asks Ramesh
142 opposition leaders suspended from Parliament
Forty-nine Lok Sabha MPs were suspended on Tuesday, while 68 members from both Houses were suspended for the entire session a day earlier. Another 11 Rajya Sabha members remain suspended until a Privileges Committee report is submitted. Last week, 14 MPs, including one Rajya Sabha member, were suspended. They were demanding Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement on last week's Parliament security breach.
