PM Modi To Face Defamation Case Over His 5 Year Old Remark On Renuka Chowdhury

It seems as if a series of defamation cases is going on in Indian politics. Amidst the disqualification row of Rahul Gandhi from Lok Sabha, another case of defamation will be filed. This time, the case will be against PM, Narendra Modi.

Congress Leader and former MLA, Renuka Chowdhury has said that she will be filing a defamation case against Modi over the ‘Surpanakha’ remark. This alleged remark was made by the PM in the year 2018 in Rajya Sabha.

“Let’s see how fast courts will act now,” exclaims Renuka

Sharing a 2018 video from Parliament, where Modi said Chowdhury’s laughter reminded him of a character from the 1980s TV serial based on the Ramayana, the Congress leader tweeted: “This  referred to me as Surpanakha on the floor of the house. I will file a defamation case against him. Let’s see how fast courts will act now.”

This classless megalonaniac referred to me as Surpanakha on the floor of the house.

I will file a defamation case against him. Let’s see how fast courts will act now.. pic.twitter.com/6T0hLdS4YW

— Renuka Chowdhury (@RenukaCCongress) March 23, 2023

During proceedings regarding Aadhar Scheme, at one point, the PM had said that the concept of Aadhaar was mooted in 1998 by L K Advani, the home minister in the then NDA government. At this point in time, Chowdhury burst into laughter. So, the then Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu asked Chowdhury to behave, and Modi urged him not to restrain the Congress MP. “It is for the first time after the Ramayana serial that we are having the good fortune of hearing such laughter today,” the PM said. This remark is allegedly comparing Chowdhury to ‘Surpanakha’, while there is no direct mention.

Also Read: “I Am fighting For Voice Of India, Ready To Pay Any Cost”, Says Rahul Gandhi On Disqualification

Congress calls Modi ‘Distasteful’ and ‘Sexist’

Reacting sharply to Modi’s comments, the Congress called them “distasteful” and “sexist”. In addition to this, the Mahila Congress is asking for an apology from the PM. The then Mahila Congress chief Sushmita Dev said, “I express my shock at the utterly sexist and downright distasteful comment against an honorable Member of Parliament, made by none less than the honorable Prime Minister of India.”

Its leader Anand Sharma said Modi had “crossed the line of political discourse” with the use of his language and his “outrageous” reference. With all this, Congress is trying to come back at BJP for Rahul’s disqualification from Lok Sabha.

Union Minister, Kiren Rijiju Backs PM in defamation case

Union Minister, Kiren Rijiju shared a clipping of this tweet after some time, calling it “highly objectionable”. Chowdhury said she would file a privilege motion against Rijiju.

Kiren told the media: “I am only referring to how the Prime Minister didn’t get annoyed. Despite such vexatious laugh by Renuka Chowdhury, the PM didn’t get irritated.”