BJP targets SP MP over remark on Rana Sanga

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The chaos forced Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar to briefly adjourn the House during zero hour. As soon as Dhankhar entered the House, BJP members stood up and started shouting slogans against Suman.

Acknowledging their sentiments, Dhankhar said people like Rana Sanga, Shivaji and Rana Pratap were national heroes, who should not be insulted. He, however, added that in the age of social media, an issue could get traction even if it was expunged from the records of Parliament.

Meanwhile, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who is also Leader of the Opposition in the Upper House, said he was in complete agreement with the Chairman regarding respecting the national heroes, but nobody should be allowed to take law in one’s hand. Talking about the attack on Suman’s house in Agra by Karni Sena, Kharge said one should not ignore the fact that Suman is also a Dalit.

BJP member Radha Mohan Das protested Kharge’s statement, saying that Kharge should not twist the issue by introducing a Dalit angle.

Suman also indicated that he would like to say something. The Chairman gave him the permission, but BJP members prevented him from participating in the debate; while Dhankhar adjourned the House till noon due to noise. Later, when the House resumed sitting, he turned down Suman's request to speak.

Later, while talking to the media, CPM leader John Brittas said the BJP should stop wasting time of the House by raking up one emperor after another. “They are dead and buried, and part of the history now,” Brittas said.