Speaker to ask Azam to apologise

New Delhi, July 26

Samajwadi Party MP Azam Khan will be asked to apologise for his remarks he made against BJP MP Rama Devi while she was officiating in the absence of Speaker Om Birla in the Lok Sabha during a discussion on a law banning triple talaq.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi said, “The Speaker will ask Azam Khan to apologise in the House over his comments made against Rama Devi without any condition. If he does not do so, the Speaker has been authorised to take action against him.”

Joshi said this after a meeting of floor leaders of political parties convened by the Speaker. The development comes after parliamentarians across party lines, many women included, demanded a strict action against Khan.

Members in the Lok Sabha today spoke in one voice condemning Khan for his sexist remarks and demanded that he should apologise or else be suspended from the House.

During Zero Hour, Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani said Azam Khan had breached the privilege of the House. Had he been outside Parliament, he would have faced a police case.

Rama Devi had yesterday insisted that Azam’s remarks be expunged, while he kept insisting that his words were meant for a “sister whom he loved”. Several other women MPs expressed unhappiness over the remarks and demanded that Speaker take strict action against him.  — TNS

Summoned on Monday?

Sources said the SP MP is likely to appear before Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on July 29 and tender an apology in the House for his remarks against BJP MP Rama Devi. PTI