Defence Minister Rajnath Singh calls Dhankhar's mimicry incident a "black stain" on Indian democratic traditions

The suspended Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee, during the protest with other suspended MPs at Parliament's Makar Dwar, was seen mimicking the Vice President, while Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was seen filming the Trinamool MP using his phone.

"The shameful manner in which the Vice President of India and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Jagdeep Dhankhar ji has been insulted by Trinamool Congress leader Kalyan Banerjee and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is a black stain on Indian democratic traditions," said Rajnath Singh in his post on X.

"The tradition of respecting persons holding the highest constitutional positions is the life force of democracy. But the low level at which parliamentary dignity is being devalued by turning partisan opposition into animosity is a matter of concern for the entire political class. I strongly condemn such indecent behaviour towards persons holding constitutional posts," he added.

Expressing concern over the mimicry incident of Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar by suspended TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee outside the Parliament, President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said that she was "dismayed to see the manner in which the respected Vice President was humiliated."

Taking to her official handle on social media handle X, the President said that the people of India are proud of the country's Parliamentary tradition and expect them to uphold it.

"I was dismayed to see the manner in which our respected Vice President was humiliated in the Parliament complex. Elected representatives must be free to express themselves, but their expression should be within the norms of dignity and courtesy. That has been the Parliamentary tradition we are proud of, and the people of India expect them to uphold it," the President posted on X.

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, voiced his pain over the theatrics by a member in the 'sacred' Parliament complex, calling it 'unfortunate'.

Taking to his official handle on social media handle X, Vice President Dhankhar said he received a telephone call from Prime Minister Modi during which he said he had been at the receiving end of such insults for twenty years and counting but doing the same to a Constitutional office in the Parliament was unfortunate.

"Received a telephone call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji. He expressed great pain over the abject theatrics of some Honourable MPs and that too in the sacred Parliament complex yesterday. He told me that he has been at the receiving end of such insults for twenty years and counting but the fact that it could happen to a Constitutional office like the Vice President of India and that too in the Parliament was unfortunate," VP Dhankhar posted on X.

Replying to Prime Minister Modi, the Rajya Sabha Chairman said none of the insults will make him change his path adding that he is committed to upholding the values that he holds dear.

"I told him- Mr. Prime Minister, the antics of a few won't prevent me from performing my duty and upholding the principles enshrined in our Constitution. I am committed to those values from the bottom of my heart. None of the insults will make me change my path," Dhankhar posted. (ANI)