‘Repeat Offender,’ Says Rama Devi; Rejects Azam Khan’s Apology

Responding to his apology, Rama Devi said that Khan has been a repeat offender.

File photo of Azam Khan. 

(Photo: PTI)

Senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan, on Monday, 29 July, apologised for his sexist remarks directed towards Deputy Speaker Rama Devi on Thursday, 25 July. Azam Khan had made the misogynistic comments during a debate on the Triple Talaq Bill in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.

Apologising for his remarks, Khan said on Monday that he didn't have any bad intentions behind his remarks.

“The whole house knows my way, despite this if the Chair thinks that I have made a mistake then I apologise for that.”

Azam Khan, Samajwadi Party leader

The SP leader had to repeat his apology in the House as Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said Khan’s sentence was not clearly heard and that the House could not comprehend what he actually said.

At this point, Samajwadi Party President and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, who was sitting next to Khan, stood up to say that the Rampur MP had already apologised in the House and that he could vouch for it. However, Khan rendered his apology again, mentioning that he treats Devi like his sister.

“Whether I tell a thing once or 1,000 times, it remains the same... It is not possible for me to say anything against the Chair.”

Azam Khan, Samajwadi Party leader

‘Khan’s Habit Has Been Spoilt Beyond Repair’

After the Samajwadi Party member again apologised in the House, a visibly peeved Devi said his remarks had pained the whole country and that she did not come to the House to hear such things. She blamed Khan for being a repeat offender.

Earlier, she had said that the SP leader should be suspended from the parliament for five years and that a mere apology would not be enough. Devi also said that Khan's habit had been spoilt beyond repair and that he should improve his habits. She said that had Khan apologised immediately, she would have forgiven him.

Abominable Act: MPs Condemn Khan’s Remarks

Azam Khan's remarks have been condemned by members of parliament, including textile minister Smriti Irani, who said that such comments are a blot on all legislators, including men.

“We cannot remain silent spectators to it. We have to speak in one voice that this is unacceptable. This is not a House where men come in and say ‘Kisi aurat ki aankhon mein jhanka jaye (look into the eyes of a woman).”

Smriti Irani, Union Minister

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also hit out at Khan. "This is an abominable act, I appeal to you (speaker) for exemplary action," she said while addressing the Lok Sabha.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, on the other hand, defended Khan to everyone's surprise.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla had also asked Khan to apologise after a meeting with members of different parties.

(With inputs from ANI and PTI)