'Chup baith..': Kharge loses cool after BJP MP interrupts speech
What's the story
A heated exchange broke out in the Rajya Sabha on Monday between Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Neeraj Shekhar. The clash took place during a debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address. Kharge was criticizing the government over inflation and rupee depreciation against the US dollar when Shekhar interrupted him, prompting Kharge's fiery response.
Heated exchange
Kharge's fiery response to Shekhar's interruption
In response to Shekhar's interruption, Kharge retorted, "Tera baap ka bhi main aisa sathi tha. Tu kya baat karta hai? Tujhko lekar ghuma. Chup, chup, chup baith. (I was your father's companion. What are you talking about? Be quiet and sit down)." The comment was directed at Shekhar's father, former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar. The outburst led to an uproar in the House, prompting Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar to call for calm and request Kharge to withdraw his remarks.
Twitter Post
Watch the RS session here
Former PM Chandrashekhar was insulted in Parliament by Congress President Kharge as he yelled at Neeraj Shekhar, saying, "Tere baap ka bhi main aise hi saathi tha. Tu kya baat karta hai? Chup baith!" Such arrogance is unacceptable. The whole Congress believes in insulting people! pic.twitter.com/3AL3b4mOd7
— Zubin Ashara (@zubinashara) February 4, 2025
Clarification and concerns
Kharge clarifies his remarks, raises stampede concerns
Kharge clarified that he didn't mean to insult anyone with his remarks. He also pointed out how BJP members insulted former PM Manmohan Singh in the past. Further, Kharge raised concerns over a recent stampede incident, alleging "thousands of people lost their lives." He asked the government to give correct figures for this incident and said he would apologize if proven wrong but wanted transparency over it.
Political background
Shekhar's political lineage and social media reactions
Shekhar, who is a former MP from the Samajwadi Party, joined the BJP in 2019. Supporters of Chandra Shekhar burned an effigy of Kharge on Tuesday in response to his remarks about the late prime minister. The irate protesters, many of whom were BJP members, also demanded Kharge's removal from the Rajya Sabha.