Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee played down the notable political controversy surrounding mimicry today, characterizing it as \”casually political.\” When questioned about the issue in Delhi, Ms. Banerjee remarked, \”We hold respect for everyone. This is not a matter of disrespect. It\’s simply a casual political affair… If Rahul (Gandhi) hadn\’t recorded a cellphone video, you wouldn\’t even be aware of it.\”
Ms. Banerjee\’s Trinamool Congress has been in the spotlight since her party\’s MP, Kalyan Banerjee, was observed mimicking Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar outside parliament. Rahul Gandhi received criticism from the BJP for capturing the moment on his cellphone.
A short while earlier, around 100 Opposition MPs were suspended in both houses of parliament for vociferously demanding that Union Home Minister Amit Shah address last week\’s unprecedented security breach. With the suspensions continuing for the second consecutive day, the Opposition was visibly displeased.
The BJP has been incensed since then, accusing the Opposition of showing a lack of respect for constitutional positions. Today, Mr. Dhankhar commented, \”I don\’t care how much you insult Jagdeep Dhankhar. But I can\’t tolerate (insult of) the Vice President of India, the farmers\’ community, my community… I will not tolerate that I could not protect the dignity of my post; it is my duty to protect the dignity of this House.\”
The Congress is vehemently opposing these developments. Senior party leader Randeep Surjewala, in a comprehensive social media post, highlighted numerous instances where the BJP has \”insulted\” the constitution, farmers, their daughters who were wrestlers, and their relatives in the army.
\”The dignity of the post does not come from caste but from a sense of duty. When the government itself is attacking the Constitution, then opposing it is true patriotism. Jai Hind!\” read his post.