BJP MLA Calls Amanatullah Khan ‘Terrorist’, Kejriwal & Co Hit Back

BJP MLA OP Sharma (left), stirred a controversy in the Delhi Assembly by referring to Aam Aadmi Party’s Amanatullah Khan (right) as a “terrorist”.

(Photo: The Quint)

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from East Delhi, Om Prakash Sharma, stirred controversy in the Delhi Assembly on Monday, 6 August, by referring to Aam Aadmi Party's Amanatullah Khan as a "terrorist". His comments elicited angry responses from Khan's fellow AAP members, adding to the uproar.

“Speak like a man, why are you speaking like a terrorist?” Sharma said in the Assembly. “Goons like you roam around in the streets,” he added.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia lashed out at Sharma's comments.

Reacting to the statement, Sisodia said it was unfortunate that a party that wants to paint all Muslims as terrorists is running the country. “We will not tolerate anyone who tries to prove that a person with the name Khan is a terrorist. We will not tolerate this,” he said.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted, “Look at BJP’s MLA — shameful. BJP wants to divide India into Hindu and Muslim. That is what Pakistan wants too. BJP is fulfilling Pakistan’s agenda. Why did Modiji go to Pakistan to meet Nawaz Sharif? Why was the ISI called to investigate in Pathankot? What secret relationship does BJP have with Pakistan?”

OP Sharma, however, remained firm on his stand. Speaking to the media outside Delhi Assemly, Sharma reiterated that one who behaves like a terrorist should be called a terrorist, Financial Express reported.