Bengaluru, Feb 5 (NationPress) The uproar surrounding the “Pakistani tongue” comment made by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLC C.T. Ravi persisted, leading to interruptions in the Karnataka Legislative Council as Congress members demanded an apology from MLC Ravi.

During the absence of BJP MLC Ravi from the Assembly, State Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti announced on Wednesday that the House proceedings would proceed until MLC Ravi's arrival.

This situation incited heated debates between the ruling Congress and the opposing BJP and JD(S) members.

In the meantime, Karnataka Minister and floor leader N.S. Boseraju proposed a resolution in the House seeking action against the remark made by BJP MLC Ravi regarding the “Pakistani tongue.”

The resolution suggested that MLC Ravi be suspended until the conclusion of the Assembly session.

Chairman Horatti mentioned that since MLC Ravi was not present, he would make a decision after discussing it with him.

Later, amidst strong protests from Congress members, he indicated that he would continue the House proceedings until MLC Ravi appeared.

“If BJP MLC C.T. Ravi does not show remorse, I will make a decision,” Horatti stated.

Despite multiple calls from Congress members and the Chair of the Legislative Council, MLC Ravi, on Tuesday, declined to retract his controversial statement, resulting in the adjournment of the House proceedings.

This political comment was made in response to remarks by Congress MLC Naseer Ahmed, who labeled Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “deshdrohi” (anti-national).

On Monday, Naseer Ahmed made this statement in front of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during discussions on the Motion of Thanks to the Governor's address at the joint Assembly session.

After Naseer Ahmed later expressed regret for his comment, Congress members demanded an apology from BJP MLC Ravi.

After House proceedings resumed on Wednesday, Minister Boseraju insisted that MLC Ravi adhere to the Chair's request and apologize for his comments.

“The remark aimed at our (Congress MLC Naseer Ahmed) member is inappropriate. The Chair has urged him (BJP MLC C.T. Ravi) to apologize five times,” he stated.

Senior Congress leader Saleem Ahmed remarked, “We submitted a letter against MLC Ravi, and you, Chairperson, also advised him to apologize. MLC Ravi is unresponsive, and the Chair should take action in this matter.”

Another senior Congress leader, Ivan D'Souza, emphasized, “We deliberated on this matter extensively and chose not to treat it as a matter of prestige. Our MLC Naseer Ahmed expressed regret for his comments against Prime Minister Modi. The Chair had decided that Naseer Ahmed should apologize first, followed by C.T. Ravi. Our member has complied, but the Opposition member has not. How can we disregard this and continue House proceedings? MLC Ravi should set a positive example by apologizing.”

Congress MLC Ramesh Babu stated, “It is our duty to adhere to the Chair's orders. To uphold the traditions of the Upper House of the Legislative Assembly (Legislative Council), the Chair's directions must be respected. When Naseer Ahmed expressed regret, MLC Ravi should have followed suit.”

In response to Congress MLC Ramesh Babu's remarks, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy commented, “The matter has already concluded. After House proceedings began, the House moved on to the Question Hour. Once House proceedings advance, we cannot revisit them. Furthermore, the Chair has not issued any orders. The Chair indicated that MLC Ravi's comment was not unparliamentary and that it would be expunged from the records. The Chair also said the matter rests on Ravi's conscience.”

“Let us not reopen a settled issue. The Congress member has made remarks against the Prime Minister several times during the discussion, which was inappropriate. This time, he did so in front of the Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah). We objected to halt this practice,” he added.

Narayanaswamy asserted that no unparliamentary language was used by MLC Ravi and that the term was removed from the records.

“There is no room for expressing regret or issuing an apology in this situation, and no further discussions are warranted,” he concluded.

Reacting to Chalavadi Narayanaswamy's comments regarding the controversy, Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil said, “The Chair requested MLC Ravi to apologize five times. The Assembly Speaker's advice is binding. Congress MLC Naseer Ahmed also presented his arguments, but he expressed regret at the request of the Assembly Speaker to ensure the House operated smoothly. If MLC Ravi now refuses to apologize, it is unjust. The Assembly Speaker's advice must be regarded as a mandate.”

In response to Minister Patil's statements, Narayanaswamy remarked that Minister Patil was framing Naseer Ahmed's apology as a commendable act.

“Was it a significant achievement to apologize after insulting the Prime Minister, who has the mandate of 1.4 billion people? The issue should conclude here,” he added.

Minister Boseraju reiterated the necessity for MLC Ravi to apologize for his comment.

BJP MLC D.S. Arun stated that every action elicits a corresponding reaction.

“Attacks on the Prime Minister have persisted for years. The regret shown by Naseer Ahmed was not genuine. This matter should be closed now,” he added.

Congress MLC Saleem Ahmed demanded that if BJP MLC Ravi does not express regret, he should be expelled from the House.