CHANDIGARH, Aug. 27 — A couplet recited by Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini in the assembly triggered uproar for the second straight day on Wednesday, with the Congress demanding a clarification and withdrawal of his remarks.
Replying to an adjournment motion on law and order on Tuesday, Saini had said: “Jiske kirdar par shaitan bhi sharminda hai, woh bhi aaye hain nasihat dene humko.” The Opposition termed it offensive and stalled House proceedings.
On Wednesday, Congress MLAs led by Geeta Bhukkal stormed into the well of the House with newspaper clippings, shouting slogans. Former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda joined the protest, pressing the Speaker for a ruling.
Tempers flared as cabinet minister Krishan Bedi and Bhukkal traded barbs, leading to counter-sloganeering. Speaker Harvinder Kalyan struggled to restore order before announcing that the remark had already been expunged on Tuesday.
Congress MLA Raghuvir Singh Kadian demanded to know whom the CM had called “shaitan.” Saini retorted that by objecting to the word, the Opposition was “insulting Colonel Shaitan Singh, who defended the nation’s borders.” Hooda, however, insisted the CM withdraw the remark.
Saini refused, saying the Congress had “crossed all limits,” though he added that he held Hooda in “high esteem.” Agriculture minister Shyam Singh Rana accused the Opposition of creating ruckus “because they are leaderless.”
As calm returned, transport minister Anil Vij quipped: “Proceedings are telecast live. People have already heard what was said. How will you erase it from their minds?”
