New Delhi, Mar 18: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath today expressed regret in the Lok Sabha over his colleague Beni Prasad Verma's remarks against Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and Muslims.
Nath's regret didn't cut much ice with the SP members, who came to the well shouting slogans asking for Beni Prasad Verma's dismissal. As the uproar continued, the presiding officer P C Chacko adjourned the house till Tuesday.
Kamal Nath said, Mulayam Singh was not an ordinary member and was the president of a political party. "I understand his sentiments and I express my regret over the comments made against him.
"All of us should jointly condemn such remarks", Kamal Nath said. He however requested the SP members to allow the House to function as only four working days remained, but the SP members shouted slogans and moved into the well, forcing the adjournment.
Earlier, the Lok Sabha today witnessed uproar as Mulayam Singh Yadav raised Union Minister Beni Prasad Verma's remark about him and Muslims as "terrorists" in the wake of UP government's decision to release several Muslim detenus from jail.
Mulayam Singh said, he would continue to fight for the cause of minorities, as the Sachhar Commission itself has pointed out towards the backwardness of Muslim community in India.
"Has the minister forgotten 1965 war hero Abdul Hamid and our former President Abdul Kalam? How can he say that Muslims are terrorists?", asked an angry Mulayam.
When the Speaker Meira Kumar allowed Minister Beni Prasad Verma to speak, Mulayam angrily said: "What will he say? What is his 'augaat'(strength)? He must tender apology for his remarks", said Mulayam, even as SP MPs stood up demanding Verma's dismissal.
Beni Prasad Verma rose to say: "For me, terrorism has no religion, no colour. I did not link terrorism to any religion. For me, the demolition of Babri Masjid and the post-Godhra riots are also terrorist incidents. But he (Mulayam) joined hands with the demolisher of Babri Masjid, Kalyan Singh. His party helped BJP to win in Gujarat."
