Proceedings of the Legislative Council were disrupted for the entire day on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN
Proceedings of the Legislative Council were disrupted for the entire day on Tuesday, triggered by Congress member Naseer Ahmed’s remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP member C.T. Ravi’s subsequent comment, leading to noisy protests, demands for apologies from both sides, and eventual adjournment of the House.
The disorder stemmed from the remark by Mr. Ahmed against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during Monday’s discussion on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address, which was expunged. The BJP members continued to stall proceedings during the first half on Tuesday too, seeking action.
As soon as the House assembled in the morning, BJP members gathered in the well, raising slogans against Mr. Ahmed despite repeated appeals by Chairman Basavaraj Horatti to maintain order.
During the exchange, Mr. Ravi questioned whether any “Indian tongue” could speak against the Prime Minister in such a manner and went on to make a remark, which too was eventually expunged.
Congress members objected strongly, describing the remark as offensive, and demanded an apology from Mr. Ravi.
The Chairman reminded members that the rules did not permit slogan-shouting in the well and cautioned Mr. Ravi that he was crossing the limits of acceptable parliamentary conduct. He asked Leader of the Opposition Chalavadi Narayanaswamy to restrain his colleague.
Expression of regret
Stating that it was the sense of the House that Mr. Ahmed had insulted the Prime Minister, the Chairman urged him to tender an unconditional apology. Mr. Ahmed, who initially said he had been provoked, finally told the House, “I was provoked and made the statement. If anyone has been hurt by my remarks, I regret it.”
When the House reassembled after the lunch break, Congress members turned the tables and demanded that Mr. Ravi also express regret. Members pointed out that the Opposition was repeatedly targeting Muslim Congress members. “We have been born and brought up here and will die on this land. Such repeated remarks are unacceptable,” ruling party members, including Bilkis Banu, Saleem Ahmed among others, said.
Deputy Chairman M.K. Pranesh said that while the Chair had appealed several times, it was ultimately left to Mr. Ravi’s conscience. He said the Chair had its own limitations and in this case he could not give a ruling.
Refusal to apolgise
However, Mr. Ravi refused to apologise, maintaining that he was “a complainant and not an accused.” He said he had not used unparliamentary words, had not named any individual, and had only urged the Chair to take action against those who made remarks against the Prime Minister.
Senior Congress Ministers and other members, including H.K. Patil, M.B. Patil, Santosh Lad, and Saleem Ahmad, argued that repeated appeals by the Chair amounted to a ruling and that Mr. Ravi should comply in the interest of the House. The Deputy Chairman said all unparliamentary expressions would be expunged from the records, irrespective of who had made them. Despite this, the House continued to witness acrimonious scenes.
With neither side relenting, the Deputy Chairman in the evening adjourned the House.
Published – February 03, 2026 09:19 pm IST
