Pragya ‘sorry’, wants Rahul punished too

New Delhi, November 29

Confronted by an unrelenting Opposition, BJP’s controversial Bhopal MP Pragya Thakur today apologised twice in the Lok Sabha for “hailing” Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin Nathuram Godse in the House, but also submitted a privilege notice against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for calling her a “terrorist”.

The Opposition refused to accept her first conditional apology in which she targeted Rahul without naming him: “One member called me a terrorist, though I have not been convicted by the court. It is an insult to a woman and a sadhvi.” Pragya, an accused in the Malegaon blast case, said making such remarks was against the law too. 

The Speaker said Pragya would read out the statement agreed upon at the meeting. But as she started, she referred to her “enemies”. She was cut short by the Speaker and told to stick to the statement. When she finished, she again tried to say something, but her mike had been turned off by then.In her second apology, she said, “On November 27, during a discussion on the SPG (Amendment) Bill, I did not call Nathuram Godse a patriot (‘deshbhakt’). I did not even take his name. Still if someone is hurt, I regret and apologise.” The statement followed after Speaker Om Birla’s meeting with floor leaders of all parties. Sources said BJP chief Amit Shah and working president JP Nadda also wanted the statement to be made before Pragya entered the House.

Congress’ Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said her remarks had hurt not only India, but the entire world as Mahatma Gandhi was a global icon. 

Pragya, meanwhile, today submitted a breach of privilege notice to the Speaker against Rahul for calling her a “terrorist” even though no court had convicted her. Official sources said the Lok Sabha secretariat will examine the merit of her complaint before recommending to the Speaker what action needed to be taken. BJP member Nishikant Dubey urged the Speaker to allow the privilege motion against Rahul. — TNS