Bengaluru, Feb 5 (NationPress) The debate surrounding the 'Pakistani tongue' comment made by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLC C.T. Ravi persists, causing disruption in the Karnataka Legislative Council as Congress members demand an apology from MLC Ravi.

With MLC Ravi absent from the Assembly House, State Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti announced on Wednesday that the House proceedings would continue until the BJP MLC appeared.

This situation escalated tensions between the ruling Congress and the opposition 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 'Pakistani tongue' remark from BJP MLC Ravi.

The resolution suggested suspending BJP MLC Ravi until the Assembly session concludes.

Chairman Horatti noted that MLC Ravi's absence would lead him to make a decision after consulting with him.

Later, amid significant protests from Congress members, he reiterated that House proceedings would continue until MLC Ravi arrived.

"If BJP MLC C.T. Ravi does not show remorse, I will take appropriate action," Horatti stated.

Despite persistent demands from Congress members and requests from the Legislative Council Chair, MLC Ravi declined to express regret for his controversial statement on Tuesday, which led to the adjournment of House proceedings.

This political comment was in response to Congress MLC Naseer Ahmed, who had labeled Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a 'deshdrohi' (anti-national).

On Monday, Naseer Ahmed made his statement in the presence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during a discussion about the Motion of Thanks to the Governor's address to the joint Assembly session.

After Naseer Ahmed later expressed regret for his comments, Congress members escalated their demands for an apology from BJP MLC Ravi.

Upon the resumption of House proceedings on Wednesday, Minister Boseraju urged BJP MLC Ravi to comply with the Chair's request and express regret for his statement.

"The comment aimed at our member (Congress MLC Naseer Ahmed) is unacceptable. The Chair has requested him (BJP MLC C.T. Ravi) to apologize on five occasions," he remarked.

Senior Congress leader Saleem Ahmed stated, "We have submitted a letter regarding MLC Ravi's conduct, and you, Chairperson, have also advised him to apologize. MLC Ravi has not responded, and the Chair should take action on this matter."

Another senior Congress figure, Ivan D'Souza, emphasized, "We deliberated on this issue thoroughly and chose not to treat it as a question of prestige. Our MLC Naseer Ahmed has shown remorse for his comments against Prime Minister Modi. The Chair 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 proceed with House activities? MLC Ravi should set a positive example by apologizing."

Congress MLC Ramesh Babu added, "It is our responsibility to adhere to the Chair's directives. To honor the traditions of the Upper House of the Legislative Assembly, the Chair's instructions must be respected. When Naseer Ahmed expressed regret, MLC Ravi should have reciprocated."

In response to Ramesh Babu's comments, Opposition Leader in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy argued, "The matter has already concluded. Once House proceedings resumed, we moved on to the Question Hour. After the House progresses, we cannot revert. Moreover, the Chair has not issued any directive. The Chair indicated that MLC Ravi's comment was not unparliamentary and that it would be expunged from the records. The matter has been left to Ravi's conscience."

"Let us not revisit an already resolved issue. The Congress member has made remarks against the Prime Minister on multiple occasions during the discussion, which is inappropriate. He did so in front of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. We protested to halt this trend," he added.

Narayanaswamy asserted that MLC Ravi did not use any unparliamentary language and that the term had been removed from the records.

"There is no necessity for expressing regret or issuing an apology in this context, and no further discussion is warranted," he concluded.

Responding to Narayanaswamy's statements regarding the controversy, Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil stated, "The Chair requested MLC Ravi to apologize five times. The Assembly Speaker's request is a directive. Congress MLC Naseer Ahmed also had his arguments, but he expressed regret at the Assembly Speaker's request to ensure the House functions smoothly. If MLC Ravi refuses to apologize now, it is unjust. The Assembly Speaker's direction must always be regarded as a mandate."

In response to Minister Patil's comments, Narayanaswamy contended that the minister was portraying Naseer Ahmed's apology as a significant act.

"Was it a remarkable deed to apologize after offending the Prime Minister, who has the support of 140 crore individuals? This issue should be concluded here," he added.

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

BJP MLC D.S. Arun remarked that every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

"Criticizing the Prime Minister has been ongoing for years. The regret expressed by Naseer Ahmed was not credible. This matter should now be closed," he concluded.

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