In a surprising turn of events, India’s Vice President finds himself at the center of controversy as a Member of Parliament mimics him. At the same time, Rahul Gandhi captures the incident on video. Describing the act as ‘shameful,’ the Vice President’s reaction has ignited a political storm. Join us as we unravel the details of this unexpected episode, exploring the dynamics between political figures and the impact of such incidents on the political landscape in India.
Parliamentary Mimicry Sparks Controversy
A day after a video from Parliament showed Trinamool Congress leader Kalyan Banerjee playfully mimicking the Vice President, Jagdeep Dhankhar stated that he won’t tolerate any insult to Parliament and the post he holds. In response, the TMC MP remarked that mimicry was an art, highlighting that even the Prime Minister indulges in it.
On Tuesday, in a video clip, Banerjee, surrounded by other Opposition leaders, was seen playfully impersonating the Rajya Sabha Chairperson, saying: “My spine is so straight, I’m so tall,” with Rahul Gandhi appearing to record the lighthearted moment.
It all began on Tuesday when a video from Parliament surfaced, capturing TMC leader Kalyan Banerjee playfully mimicking Jagdeep Dhankhar, while Rahul Gandhi recorded the amusing moment. Dhankhar, in response, termed the act as “shameful, ridiculous, and unacceptable.”
Jagdeep Dhankhar Condemns Rahul Gandhi ‘s Videography
When the Rajya Sabha resumed its session around noon, Dhankhar, speaking to a Congress leader, remarked, “Just a while ago I saw on a television channel that there is no limit to how low one can stoop (girawat ki koi hadh nai hai). Your senior leader (Rahul Gandhi) was found shooting a video of an unparliamentary act of one of the suspended MPs, sitting out on protest… I just want to say that good sense (sadbuddhi) may prevail on them.”
Speaking about Rahul Gandhi, Dhankhar mentioned, “Office of Chairman, Rajya Sabha and Office of Speaker are very different. Political parties will have their cross currents, they will have exchanges, but imagine a senior leader of your party videographing another member of another party… Mimicry of the Chairman, mimicry of Speaker. How ridiculous, how shameful, how unacceptable.”
During a conversation with Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep concern over the “abject theatrics” displayed by some MPs. President Murmu, taking to X on Wednesday, conveyed her dismay at the way our esteemed Vice President was subjected to humiliation in the Parliament complex. In her post, President Murmu emphasized the importance of elected representatives expressing themselves freely but within the boundaries of dignity and courtesy. She highlighted that upholding these norms is a proud parliamentary tradition, and the people of India expect their representatives to preserve it.
PM Modi Expresses Concern Over MPs’ Theatrics in Parliament
In a phone call, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed deep concern over the “abject theatrics” displayed by certain Honorable MPs in the sacred Parliament complex. The Vice President’s Secretariat shared this information, underlining the PM’s distress regarding the conduct of some MPs during the mentioned incident. “Received a telephone call from the Prime Minister, @narendramodi Ji. He expressed great pain over the abject theatrics of some Honourable MPs and that too in the sacred Parliament complex yesterday,” PM Secretariat said.
He shared that he has endured such insults for over two decades, emphasizing the unfortunate occurrence wherein it happened to a Constitutional office like the Vice President within the Parliament. Despite this, he added that such incidents wouldn’t deter him from fulfilling his duty. “I told him-Mr. Prime Minister, the antics of a few won’t prevent me from performing my duty and upholding the principles enshrined in our Constitution. I am committed to those values from the bottom of my heart. None of the insults will make me change my path,” he stated.
Jagdeep Dhankhar Condemns Mimicry as displayed in Rahul Gandhi ‘s video
On Wednesday, the Trinamool Congress leader at the center of the controversy mentioned that his intention was never to cause harm to anyone.
“I have no intention to hurt anyone. However, I have a question. Does he (Jagdeep Dhankhar) really behave like this in Rajya Sabha? Mimicry is an art and it was also done by the PM in Lok Sabha between 2014 and 2019,” Kalyan Banerjee added.
In the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed his strong stance against any insult directed at Parliament and the position of Vice President. He conveyed deep distress over TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee’s mimicry, emphasizing that such actions, along with their recording, have caused a perceived insult to the dignity of the Vice President’s post, the farming community, and his own community.
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As the House reconvened at 11:45 am after the third adjournment, Dhankhar shared his heartfelt concern regarding Tuesday’s incident. He requested the Congress party, including Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, to reflect on the matter. In Dhankhar’s words, “I am not bothered if anyone insults Jagdeep Dhankhar, but I cannot bear that I could not protect the honor of my post. It is my duty to protect the honor of the House.”
Rahul Gandhi breaks silence over mimicry video
Amid the uproar over TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee’s mimicry of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar, Rahul Gandhi admitted to recording the incident. “MPs were sitting there, I shot their video. My video is on my phone. Media is showing it…Nobody has said anything…150 of our MPs have been thrown out (of the House) but there is no discussion on that in the media. There is no discussion on Adani, no discussion on Rafale, no discussion on unemployment. Our MPs are disheartened and sitting outside. But you are discussing that (mimicry),” Rahul Gandhi stated.
Expressing concern over the focus on the mimicry incident, he highlighted the lack of media attention on crucial issues like the expulsion of 150 MPs and the absence of discussions on Adani, Rafale, and unemployment.
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