Speaker to ask Azam Khan to apologise for his controversial remarks

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, July 26

 Lok Sabha Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said Speaker Om Birla would ask Khan to apologise on the floor of the House for remarks that he made to Rama Devi when she was officiating discussions on a law banning triple talaq.

"The Speaker will ask Azam Khan to apologise over his comments made against Rama Devi without any condition in the House. If he does not do so, the Speaker has been authorised to take action against him," Joshi said after a meeting of floor leaders of political parties.

The development comes after parliamentarians across party lines, many women included, demanded strict action against Khan.

Rama Devi wanted him suspended for five years.

Earlier, women members in Lok Sabha on Friday spoke in one voice condemning Khan for his sexist remarks and demanded that he apologise or else he should be suspended from the House.

During Zero Hour, Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani said Khan's remarks in Lok Sabha on Thursday during the debate on triple talaq bill were a "blot" on all lawmakers.

Notably, Rama Devi had herself insisted that the remarks be expunged, which Azam Khan kept insisting were only meant for a "sister whom he loved". With PTI