Parliament Winter Session: BJP demands apology over slogans raised against PM Modi at Congress rally

New Delhi: Parliament on Monday witnessed protests by ruling BJP over slogans raised against Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a Congress rally here and demanded an apology from the party leadership.

Lok Sabha witnessed little business during Zero Hour and Question Hour in the morning session as the House was adjourned twice over the issue. In Rajya Sabha, the Zero Hour was disrupted over the issue.

As soon as the Lok Sabha assembled for Question Hour at 11 AM, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju raised the issue and condemned the alleged slogans raised at the rally and demanded an apology from the top Congress leadership. At the rally, slogans of "digging Modi's grave" were reportedly raised by an attendee.

"We are political opponents, not enemies. Congress workers have threatened to dig the grave of the prime minister at the Congress rally. This is the most unfortunate incident to happen," Rijiju said as the Lok Sabha convened for the day at 11 am, triggering protests from the Congress members.

"Congress should now tender an apology for giving threat to the prime minister," Rijiju said. As protest grew, Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House till12 noon and when it reconvened, Congress MPs were in the Well raising slogans against Home Minister Amit Shah.

BJP MP Dilip Saikia, who was in the chair, allowed tabling of official papers while assuring the Opposition MPs that he would allow them to raise their issues after the Zero Hour mentions. However, the MPs continued the protest, prompting adjournment till 2 PM. Lok Sabha functioned smoothly during the afternoon session.

In Rajya Sabha, Leader of House JP Nadda raised the issue at 11 AM, leading to an uproar. Nadda said, "with pain and an agitated heart, I want to share before the House that yesterday at the Congress rally, slogans were shouted: 'Modi teri Kabr khudegi, aaj nahi to kal khudegi' (Modi's grave will be dug... if not today, then tomorrow). This type of slogan reflects the Congress party's thinking and mindset."

Condemning the slogans, he said said shouting such slogans against the PM and wishing his death was unacceptable and demanded an apology from Congress President and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, who were present in the House.

"Congress has stooped to a low level in politics that is beyond imagination. I strongly condemn this," Nadda said, triggering vehement protests from the Congress MPs. The House was adjourned till 12 noon but functioned thereafter.