On Wednesday, while delivering his speech on Motion of Thanks in Rajya Sabha, Narendra Modi took a dig at Congress leader Renuka Chaudhary who laughed out loud at his claim that the idea of Aadhaar was conceptualized during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.
Her unstoppable laughter created chaos in the House. Chairman Venkaiah Naidu also warned Ms. Chowdhury for her unruly behaviour but in vain.
What PM Modi said after that has created an uproar on the Internet. He requested the Chairman,
Sabhapati ji meri aapse vinti hai Renuka ji ko kuch mat kahiye. Ramayan serial ke baad aisi hansi sunne ka saubhagya aaj jaake mila hai.
… And the house again burst into laughter.
Union Minister of State for Home Kiran Rijiju shared the video on Twitter.
Despite such vexatious laugh by Renuka Chaudhary ji PM Narendra Modi ji didn’t get irritated. pic.twitter.com/pc5TGOYhZV
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) February 8, 2018
After the session, Renuka Chowdhury dubbed Modi’s remark as “denigrating the status of a woman.”
#WATCH Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury speaks on PM Narendra Modi’s comment on her laughter in Rajya Sabha pic.twitter.com/9ZwBdM5Eiq
— ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2018
While Renuka Chaudhary wasn’t quite amused by the Ramayana reference, Twitter was divided on the comments made by Modi.
While some were impressed by the cutting remark,
Hate him or like him. He is the Master Orator. That Ramayana jibe to Renuka was hilarious. #ModiHitsBack
— Mitesh Jain (@MK7786) February 7, 2018
अपने अशोभनीय कृत्य को छिपाने के लिए #नारी_सम्मान को ढाल नही बनाना चाहिए। रेणुका जी को क्या यह पता नही था कि वो देश की सबसे बड़ी पंचायत में बैठी हैं और देश के PM बोल रहे हैं…PM की बात का खंडन करने का अधिकार उन्हें उनका पद देता है पर अभद्र अट्टहास का नही।
— Piyush Mishra🇮🇳 (@piyush_mishra_) February 8, 2018
But PM didn’t refer to any particular character of Ramayana. Renuka could have compared her ‘Elegant’ laughter to that of Sita mata. But she could only think of Surpnaka, Tadka or Ravan..Chor ki daadhi mein tinka😉😉😉😂😂😂😂#ModiHitsBack https://t.co/qDxmErvSGm
— Nimbu Masala 🇮🇳 (@anshulbhartiya) February 8, 2018
Valiant, Fierce , Quick witted, Sharp and the Best 🙏 More power to you 💪 @narendramodi @KirenRijiju
— Radhika (@ScholarRama) February 8, 2018
Others felt that such a bold and sexist statement by the PM was uncalled for.
When this man cannot respect his own wife how can he give respect to Renuka of @INCIndia @sanjeevchadha8
— AshishK (@AshishK5) February 8, 2018
Modi’s sexist remark at MP Renuka Chaudhary in the Rajya Sabha shows why the Govt is not willing to pass the Women’s Reservation Bill. He is SCARED & TERRIFIED of women.Just like Ravana was !!
— AshishK (@AshishK5) February 8, 2018
But the speech was equally ‘vexatious’ for many.
— Madhumita Mazumdar (@mmazumdar2014) February 8, 2018
Not fair.
So it’s not cool for woman MP to cackle in Parliament but totally cool for Vice President to suggest she see a doc (cos #MentalIllness?) and for PM to compare her to a demoness whose nose was cut off? And then for all the menfolk to cackle? #misogyny #RenukaChowdhury
— Ranjitha Gunasekaran (@ranjim) February 7, 2018
Discipline should prevail in Parliament.
Except @nsitharaman, the boys club is busy thumping the desk and celebrating a misogynist comment by the Prime Minister of India,really sick! #RenukaChowdhury https://t.co/R80gRHZ0zH
— vijaita singh (@vijaita) February 7, 2018
Did Renuka Chowdhury deserve this jibe for disturbing the decorum of the House or is it really denigrating the dignity of a woman?
