PM Modi: In defence of his impersonation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar outside of parliament today, Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee declared that “mimicry is an art” and expressed his deep regard for the man. The President and Prime Minister have denounced Banerjee’s act of mimicking Dhankhar, who also serves as the Rajya Sabha chairman. Congressman Rahul Gandhi was observed recording the performance.
Banerjee Stresses Respect for Dhankhar
He defended his actions by saying he had the utmost respect for Dhankhar and had no intention of hurting anyone. “I had no intention to hurt anyone. Mimicry is an art. Have high respect for me (Jagdeep) Dhankhar,” said Baneree. He claimed that during the time his act was being recorded, a “mock parliament” was in session, and he wanted to know if Dhankhar behaved in that manner in real life.
Banerjee Denies Specific Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha Imitation
“I have not said it was Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha…a mock parliament was going on. If he has taken this to his shoulder, I am really helpless. Does he really behave like this in the Rajya Sabha?” he asked. Additionally, he asserted that from 2014 to 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in mimicry in the Lok Sabha. “I have great respect for Dhankhar ji. But, I did not want to hurt anyone…and it’s one type of art. Mimicry was done also by the Prime Minister in Lok Sabha itself during the last term. I can show you video. But no one took it seriously,” added Banerjee.
Incident Unfolds Amid Opposition Benches Suspension
After the majority of the opposition benches were suspended for demonstrating against the most recent security breach, the incident transpired. In a symbolic move, the ruling alliance MPs are standing in the Rajya Sabha for an hour in honour of Dhankhar, who had denounced it as a “personal attack”. He said that he had been “receiving end of such insults” for 20 years, and that even Prime Minister Modi had called him to denounce the incident.
Denial of 20-Year Link and Justification of Mimicry as Art
Responding to this remark, Banerjee said, “I have not been here for 20 years. How can he link it with any past incident?” Following the incident, even the Speaker of the Lok Sabha visited Dhankhar and called it “demeaning”. Along with expressing shock at the incident, President Droupadi Murmu urged the MPs to make sure their expression adheres to standards of decency.
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