Hours after BSP Amroha MP Kunwar Danish Ali said that he may consider leaving the Lok Sabha if Speaker Om Birla does not take “appropriate action” against BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri for his communal tirade in the parliament, several opposition leaders, including Congress’ Rahul Gandhi, visited Danish Ali’s house late Friday.    

Gandhi, accompanied by Congress general secretary KC Venugopal and MP Imran Pratapgarhi, held a closed-door meeting with Danish Ali for about 40 minutes. While leaving Danish Ali’s house, he told the media, “In a market of hatred, here’s a shop of love.”  

Speaking to Newslaundry, Danish Ali said: “I have no dispute with Ramesh Bidhuri. He should tell us in which shakha or laboratory has he received such training? Earlier, these things would happen on the streets, but now in Amrit Kaal, in the parliament’s new premises, during the special session, hate speech is being witnessed. What is more shameful is that Bidhuri’s fellow BJP MPs Dr Harsh Vardhan and Ravi Shankar Prasad were seen smiling and thumping the desk even as Bidhuri continued using communal slurs. Where will you take this country?”

The mindset of using communal slurs was earlier found in nooks of villages, but it has now reached the parliament, said MP Imran Pratapgarhi. “What could be more shameful than the fact that communal abuses were used inside the parliament of the country.” 

Pratapgarhi said if no stringent action is taken, it would be clear that “the government’s intention was to abuse”.

Following the Congress leaders’ visit, Danish Ali retweeted Rahul Gandhi’s post on their meeting, and wrote: “Your sudden visit has boosted my morale! Hate will lose, love will win!!!”

During a discussion on Chandrayaan-3 in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday evening, BJP’s Bidhuri used communal slurs against Danish Ali. Following the opposition’s objection to portions of his speech, the Speaker issued a warning to Bidhuri over his remarks, which have now been expunged. The opposition parties have demanded Bidhuri's suspension.

Danish Ali also reportedly wrote a letter to the Lok Sabha speaker, seeking appropriate action. He wrote, “This is most unfortunate and the fact that this happened in the new Parliament and under your leadership as Speaker is truly heart-breaking for me as a minority member of this great nation and an elected member of Parliament.”

Watch.