New Delhi: Under fire for his sexist remarks, Samajwadi Party (SP) member Azam Khan apologized Monday in Lok Sabha to BJP member Rama Devi who said he has the habit of uttering derogatory words against women. Azam Khan had to repeat his apology twice in the House.
As soon as the House met for the day, Speaker Om Birla asked Azam Khan, who has come under criticism from members across party lines for his sexist remarks against Rama Devi last Thursday, to speak and he tendered his apology.
“I have been an MLA nine times, a minister four times, a Rajya Sabha member too. I was a Parliamentary Affairs Minister twice. I know legislative procedures well,” said Azam Khan. “However, if my words hurt anyone, I hereby apologise,” stated Khan.
As some of his words were not audible, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said that the Samajwadi Party MP should repeat the sentence clearly as the House could not comprehend what he actually said.
The Speaker then asked Khan to tender the apology again. Khan repeated the words and also said that Devi was like his sister. “Whether I tell a thing once or 1,000 times, it remains the same… It is not possible for me to say anything against the Chair,” Khan pointed out. “If my words hurt hurt anyone, I apologise,” added Khan.
After the Samajwadi Party member again apologised in the House, a visibly peeved Devi said his remarks had pained the whole country and that she did not come to the House to hear such things.
Devi asserted that Khan has the habit of uttering derogatory words against women and had done so on many occasions in the past outside the House. Now he has said them inside the House, she noted. She also said Khan’s habit has been spoilt beyond repair and that he should improve his habits.
Khan’s remarks against Devi during a discussion on the triple talaq bill Thursday last were slammed by members as double-meaning, malicious, utterly condemnable and a blot on all legislators.
Devi was officiating when Khan made the objectionable remarks against her sparking a huge uproar within the House. The Speaker said members should be careful in uttering words and maintain decorum so that no such incident takes place in the future.
“This House belongs to all members. This can be run only with the cooperation of members. The chair belongs to you all too and its dignity should be maintained. We all should be careful in uttering words and ensure that no such incident takes place in the future,” the speaker said.