New Delhi: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said that he is hurt by the allegations levelled against him by CPM leader Mohd Salim on the floor of the Lower House.
Rajnath also demanded apology from Salim for his remark in which he quoted the Home Minister as saying, after BJP's victory in Lok Sabha polls last year, that India had the first 'Hindu ruler after 800 years'.
"Mohd Salim has levelled serious allegation against me. I am hurt by Mohd Salim's statement, have never been this hurt in my political career. Want to know when I made this statement or else he should apologize," the Home Minister said.
"If any Home Minister makes the kind of a statement that Mohd Salim has attributed to me, he has no right to remain on his post," the Home Minister added.
He said the members of the House and people from minority community know that he cannot make such remarks.
After Rajnath's denial, Salim immediately said that he was reading out the comment from a newsmagazine and that the Union Minister should send legal notice to the publication for quoting him wrongly.
Soon after this, the BJP members demanded that Salim must withdraw the remarks for the debate to continue in the House.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Pratap Rudy said the member should withdraw the comments till their authenticity is ascertained.
Rudy said it will be difficult for members on the treasury benches to sit in the house after allegations "which are dangerous for the country".
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu said: "It is becoming a habit in the country to make sensational comments and quote out of context."
