Protests in RS over Bhagwat’s remarks against Mother Teresa

PTI
NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 26

Rajya Sabha today witnessed uproarious scenes over the controversial remarks of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat against Mother Teresa with Opposition parties pressing for a condemnation resolution if Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not clarify.
The House had to be adjourned for 15 minutes after a war of words broke out on the issue between BJP member Vinay Katiyar and almost the entire Opposition that saw members from Congress, Samajwadi Party and JD-U trooping into the well.Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi sought to pacify the agitating members and said the entire country respected Mother Teresa and there was no contradiction or confusion about the service rendered by her.
“The entire country respects her. A number of statements are made outside Parliament. There is no doubt about the Mother Teresa’s service and her work is not under any kind of suspicion,” Naqvi said.
Dissatisfied with his reply, Sharad Yadav (JD-U) said a one-line resolution should be brought to condemn the remarks. His demand was supported by Naresh Agrawal (SP) and P Rajeeve (CPI-M).
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Derek O’Brien (Trinamool Congress) said Bhagwat’s remarks that conversion to Christianity was the main objective of Mother Teresa’s service to the poor, was an “insult” to all Bharat Ratna recipients as well as Parliament.
“Only 43 persons since Independence have been conferred the Bharat Ratna. One of them is Mother Teresa. The comment not only insults her. Statements like this insult all the 43 persons who got Bharat Ratna.
“The man who made the statement, says she converts. Mother Teresa also said that she converts a Hindu to become a good Hindu, a Muslim to become a good Muslim and a Christian to become a good Christian,” O’Brien said, adding he would rather learn from Hindu scripture like Bhagwad Gita, but “not this Bhagwat.”
Katiyar strongly objected to the remarks and spoke of conversion, which saw the entire Opposition up in arms. Soon a verbal alteraction followed between members of the Treasury and Opposition benches. Katiyar reacted angrily but could not be heard as opposition members sought Naqvi’s indulgence.
CPI-M’s Sitaram Yechury took strong objection to the BJP member’s remarks, saying “since the MoS Parliamentary Affairs belongs to another religion, he (Katiyar) is saying what will he (Naqvi) do (wo kya kar lenge).”
“How are you allowing this to go on record,” Yechury asked Deputy Chairman P J Kurien who was in the Chair.
As the uproar continued and members trooped into the well, Kurien adjourned the House for 15 minutes. The uproar continued for some time even after proceedings resumed.

Dia Mirza, Lekhi in War of Words on Mother Teresa Issue

PTI
MUMBAI, FEBRUARY 26

A war of words today erupted between actress Dia Mirza and BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi over the latter supporting RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s remark that conversion to Christianity was the main objective behind Mother Teresa’s service to the poor.
Lekhi had claimed that Mother Teresa had admitted in an interview that her job was to bring people to the fold of Christianity.
Mirza, whose father was a Catholic, took to Twitter to slam the leader.
“Shame on you MeenakshiLekhi you contort personal faith/work to validate a statement that should be condemned. #MotherTeresa,” the 33-year-old actress tweeted.
Shame on you #MeenakshiLekhi you contort personal faith/work to validate a statement that should be condemned. #MotherTeresa
— Dia Mirza (@deespeak) February 24, 2015
Her comment led to a war of words between the two on Twitter with Lekhi replying, “@deespeak Shame on you for not having the robustness to face the facts or accept the truth!”
@deespeak Shame on you for not having the robustness to face the facts or accept the truth!
— Meenakashi Lekhi (@M_Lekhi) February 24, 2015
The actress retorted by tweeting, “I hang my head in shame.”
“@M_Lekhi: @deespeak Shame on you for not having the robustness to face the facts or accept the truth!” I hang my head in shame.
— Dia Mirza (@deespeak) February 24, 2015
@M_Lekhi the only fact I’m facing right now is the manipulations of divisive thought. I am ashamed.
— Dia Mirza (@deespeak) February 24, 2015
Mirza’s stand against Lekhi earned her praise from some and criticism from others.
One user posted “@deespeak nothing else expected from sickulars like u. What character do u have?” to which the actress replied, “I am characterless because I am secular.”
“@prat_hindutv: nothing else expected from sickulars like u. What character do u have?” I am characterless because I am secular.
— Dia Mirza (@deespeak) February 24, 2015
Mirza’s last tweet on the issue was “My father was Catholic, my mother is a Bengali, I was raised by my Muslim step father and I’m married to a Hindu. I am Indian.”
My father was Catholic, my mother is a Bengali, I was raised by my Muslim step father and I’m married to a Hindu. I am Indian.
— Dia Mirza (@deespeak) February 25, 2015