A day after he stirred Right wing hornets, by casting doubts over the killing of Mumbai Anti-terrorist squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare during the 26/11 terror strike in Mumbai, Union Minister for Minority Affairs AR Antulay’s controversial statements reverberated in the Rajya Sabha.
Terming Antulay’s statement, issued to the media on Wednesday, as “irresponsible” senior BJP leader SS Ahluwalia, soon after the Question Hour, said the Minister’s ramblings were a cause for concern.
"How can the House sit idle?" Ahluwalia questioned while demanding for the House to take up the matter immediately.
Several members of the House supported Ahluwalia, who was pacified only after Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan said the matter could be taken up in the House tomorrow.
On Wednesday, Antulay had cast aspersions over the killing of Karkare during the Mumbai terror attack, calling for a probe into the possible link between the top anti-terror officials killing and the Malegaon blasts being investigated by him.
Terming it a slight of the Rajya Sabha, a belligerent Ahluwalia further, took exception to Minister for Home Affairs P Chidambaram’s absence from the house, on a day when a significant Bill was moved in the in the House when a Bill related to the ministry was moved by Chidambaram’s deputy Shakeel Ahmed.
Following the argument, Chidambaram came to the House and the issue was conclusively settled.
Amid demands for Antulay’s ouster, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told the Lok Sabha the UPA government will make a statement on Antulay remarks before the Parliament session concludes.
"Government will make a statement either tomorrow or before the end of the session on December 23."
Meanwhile, Antulay, a former Maharashtra Chief Minister, also came in for strong criticism from the Opposition benches, in the state Assembly, that demanded an immediate apology from Antulay.
The House was adjourned thrice, as Opposition members trooped the well of the House.
Later in the day, top BJP leader Venkiah Naidu, demanded that Antulay be sacked as he had "no moral right to remain a minister after what he said. He has committed a terrible mistake by saying so."
Naidu suggested that the clouds of doubt, cast over the incident by Antulay, will be used as cover by ‘opponents’ to punch holes in the Indian arguments on the terror strikes.
“Whom he is asking the questions from? If he had any doubts, he should have discussed in the cabinet or talked to the Prime Minister. Due to this our opponents outside will try to find loopholes in our argument on the terror- strikes,” thundered Naidu.
Despite embarrassing the government and ticking off the BJP, Antulay’s remarks have found ‘many takers’ in the minority community.
With the Congress in no position to sack the minister at this juncture and the BJP seething with rage over his remarks, the controversy surrounding Antulay is not likely to subside over the next few days.
Terming Antulay’s statement, issued to the media on Wednesday, as “irresponsible” senior BJP leader SS Ahluwalia, soon after the Question Hour, said the Minister’s ramblings were a cause for concern.
"How can the House sit idle?" Ahluwalia questioned while demanding for the House to take up the matter immediately.
Several members of the House supported Ahluwalia, who was pacified only after Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan said the matter could be taken up in the House tomorrow.
On Wednesday, Antulay had cast aspersions over the killing of Karkare during the Mumbai terror attack, calling for a probe into the possible link between the top anti-terror officials killing and the Malegaon blasts being investigated by him.
Terming it a slight of the Rajya Sabha, a belligerent Ahluwalia further, took exception to Minister for Home Affairs P Chidambaram’s absence from the house, on a day when a significant Bill was moved in the in the House when a Bill related to the ministry was moved by Chidambaram’s deputy Shakeel Ahmed.
Following the argument, Chidambaram came to the House and the issue was conclusively settled.
Amid demands for Antulay’s ouster, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told the Lok Sabha the UPA government will make a statement on Antulay remarks before the Parliament session concludes.
"Government will make a statement either tomorrow or before the end of the session on December 23."
Meanwhile, Antulay, a former Maharashtra Chief Minister, also came in for strong criticism from the Opposition benches, in the state Assembly, that demanded an immediate apology from Antulay.
The House was adjourned thrice, as Opposition members trooped the well of the House.
Later in the day, top BJP leader Venkiah Naidu, demanded that Antulay be sacked as he had "no moral right to remain a minister after what he said. He has committed a terrible mistake by saying so."
Naidu suggested that the clouds of doubt, cast over the incident by Antulay, will be used as cover by ‘opponents’ to punch holes in the Indian arguments on the terror strikes.
“Whom he is asking the questions from? If he had any doubts, he should have discussed in the cabinet or talked to the Prime Minister. Due to this our opponents outside will try to find loopholes in our argument on the terror- strikes,” thundered Naidu.
Despite embarrassing the government and ticking off the BJP, Antulay’s remarks have found ‘many takers’ in the minority community.
With the Congress in no position to sack the minister at this juncture and the BJP seething with rage over his remarks, the controversy surrounding Antulay is not likely to subside over the next few days.
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