n what could be described as one of the rare events, women MPs from different political parties took united stand to condemn the remarks of Samajwadi Party leader Mohammad Azam Khan. This created an uproar in Lok Sabha today.
Azam Khan’s comments in Lok Sabha yesterday:
Samajwadi Party leader Mohammad Azam Khan stirred up a controversy yesterday in the Lok Sabha as he passed some objectionable and sexist remarks against BJP member Rama Devi, who was presiding over the House. This all happened during the debate on Triple Talaq bill. During this debate, Azam Khan told to lady MP who was acting as speaker, ‘I want to tell this by seeing into your eyes (Aankhon Mein Ankho Daal ke)’. BJP MP objected to these comments and said, this was not the way to speak. Azam Khan then replied, “You are like my sister”. However, the issue did not subside. BJP members sought an apology from him but Azam Khan told he would not apologise. He added, he will resign if he had said anything unparliamentary. However, his party chief Akhilesh Yadav, defended his remarks and told it is BJP who used ugliest language in the parliament.
Women MPs came down heavily on Azam Khan in Lok Sabha today:
Women MPs from the ruling party as well as opposition came down heavily on Azam Khan today in Lok Sabha. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told, “This is an abominable act, I appeal to you for exemplary action” to the Speaker of Lok Sabha. Another minister Smriti Iran also criticized Azam and said, “The entire nation watched what happened…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. This is not a House where men come in and look into the eyes of a woman.”
Even the women MPs from opposition parties condemned Azam Khan’s comments. Mimi Chakraborty, MP from Trinamool Congress party commented that, “I am the youngest MP in this house. What happened yesterday cannot be part of my learning process. Irrespective of political differences, nobody can stand in Parliament and tell a woman – ‘look into my eyes and talk’. All women here are expecting something big from you on this”. DMK MP Kanimozhi said Azam Khan’s comments “made women feel small”.
Azam Khan needs to mend his ways and language:
This is not first time Azam Khan landed in such controversies. Before elections he made very vulgar comments on Jayaprada saying she wears khakhi underwear (to refer her joining into BJP). Even earlier also he landed in several such controversies. This 70+ year old MP definitely needs to mend his ways.