New Delhi: Congress Rajya Sabha MP Renuka Chowdhury Wednesday responded with a ‘bhow bhow’ when asked about a possible privilege motion against her for bringing a dog into the Parliament complex that has kept political circles abuzz for the last two days.
Speaking to reporters outside the Parliament House, Chowdhury said she would give a “befitting reply” to any such motion. Before that, however, she imitated a dog’s bark when reporters sought her response on the matter and the BJP’s demand for action against her.
Chowdhury argued that no law prohibits people from bringing dogs inside the Parliament complex. She pointed out that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had once rode into the premises in a bullock cart, referring to the late BJP stalwart’s move to protest rising petrol prices in 1973.
“People are dying because of pollution and no one is worried about it. BLOs are committing suicide, their families are getting destroyed, and they are not worried about them. Labour laws are being forced upon us. Sanchar Saathi app is being forced upon us. But Renuka Chowdhury’s dog has rattled everyone. What can I say now? I will continue to take care of animals,” she said.
On Tuesday, Chowdhury had arrived in the Parliament with a rescued dog, which was to be taken to a veterinarian after her car dropped her off. But it was her response to reporters who asked her about the unusual visitor that the BJP latched on to.
“This government does not like animals. Animals don’t have a voice. It was in the car, so what is their problem? It is so small, does it look like it will bite? Those sitting inside Parliament bite, not dogs,” Chowdhury said, drawing the BJP’s ire.
The former Union Minister, however, received backing from her party leader, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, who made a similar remark, prompting the BJP to fire salvos at him.
Informally chatting with reporters while waiting for his vehicle outside the Parliament, Rahul wondered if there was a bar on people bringing dogs to the Parliament House compound.
When a reporter responded that pets are not allowed, Rahul gestured towards the Parliament building, saying, “Pets are now allowed? Pets are allowed inside.” In a press conference Tuesday, BJP MP Sambit Patra targeted both Rahul and Chowdhury, accusing them of hurting the dignity and decorum of the House.
On Wednesday, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla waded into the row, calling Chowdhury a “serial offender” and accusing her of insulting the MPs and Parliament staff by “comparing them to dogs that bite”.
“Do these people have any respect for Parliament? They put parivar above Parliament, drama above dialogue and delivery. Shameful,” he posted on X.
(Edited by Vidhi Bhutra)
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