Outrage as BJP's South Delhi MP hurls religious slurs in Lok Sabha

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member of Parliament Ramesh Bidhuri kicked up a massive controversy for targeting fellow Lok Sabha member Danish Ali of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) with religious slurs and phrases that amount to hate speech during the momentous session in the new Parliament building this week.

The video of the abusive attack, which took place during a discussion on the success of Chandrayaan-3 on Thursday, went viral on Friday and provoked outrage from other parliamentarians, some of whom including Ali - sought action over breach of parliamentary privilege.

The remarks were expunged by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who also issued a stern warning to Bidhuri, saying "any recurrence of such behaviour in future" will lead to strict action. But other leaders said that this action was inadequate and warranted a suspension at the very least.

The BJP issued a show-cause notice to Bidhuri to explain his conduct within 10 days, and in a statement issued later (which did not name Bidhuri) said it had taken immediate action.

In the video from the House, Bidhuri the MP from South Delhi was seen and heard using derogatory words that were repeated in tweets by Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah as they hit out at the BJP parliamentarian, and by BSP's Ali in a letter of complaint to the Speaker.

During the outburst, former Union minister Harsh Vardhan was seen laughing while sitting next to Bidhuri.

In a post on X, Moitra demanded that Bidhuri be made an example of. "BJP MP @rameshbidhuri calling MP Danish Ali a 'Bharwa' (pimp), 'Katwa' (circumcised), 'Mullah Atankwadi' & 'Mullah Ugrawadi' (Muslim terrorist) ON RECORD in Lok Sabha last night," she wrote, tagging Birla, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and BJP chief JP Nadda.

Her post was made before the remarks were expunged.