Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will ask SP MP Azam Khan to apologise for his sexist remarks against BJP member Rama Devi. It has been also decided that the speaker would take action if Azam Khan fails to apologise. The decision was taken after an all-party leaders' meeting, which was convened by the speaker in New Delhi on Friday.
The meeting was attended by opposition party leaders, including Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Jayadev Galla, Danish Ali and Supriya Sule.
Cutting across party lines, members in Lok Sabha on Friday condemned the sexist remarks by Azam Khan. On Thursday, Azam Khan courted controversy with remarks on Rama Devi, who was officiaiting the Lok Sabha proceedings, which were roundly criticised for being "sexist". "Aap mujhe itni acchi lagti hain ki mera mann karta hai ki aap ki aankhon mein aankhein dale rahoon [You look so good today that I just want to stare into your eyes and speak]," he told Devi during the house proceedings.
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When MP Devi objected, Khan said that he meant no disrespect and that he viewed Devi as his sister. Khan was asked to apologise; refusing to do so, he walked out of Lok Sabha. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav defended Khan, saying that he meant no disrespect and that the BJP were the most unruly party in the House.
In April, too, during the Lok Sabha poll campaign, Khan had made objectionable remarks against actor-turned-politician Jaya Prada who contested on a BJP ticket. The police had then lodged an FIR against Khan for insulting the modesty of a woman.
