Himachal Congress Protests Anurag Thakur’s Remarks Against Kharge, Pratibha Singh Warns Of Nationwide Stir

The Himachal Pradesh Congress held a demonstration against BJP MP Anurag Thakur over his now-withdrawn remarks made in the Lok Sabha against Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.

According to news agency ANI, Himachal Pradesh Congress President Pratibha Virbhadra Singh said, “We will take this issue to the High Command. We strictly oppose Anurag Thakur’s statements… We will carry out a rally against this throughout the country.”

Kharge Slams 'False And Baseless Charges' Levelled By Anurag Thakur

Addressing the Rajya Sabha during Zero Hour on Thursday, Kharge condemned the allegations levelled against him, describing them as baseless and damaging to his reputation. He challenged Thakur to prove the charges or resign from Parliament.

“Yesterday, Anurag Thakur hurled completely false and baseless charges at me in the Lok Sabha. When my colleagues challenged him, he was compelled to withdraw his defamatory remarks. But the damage has been done,” Kharge said, as quoted by news agency PTI.

Despite the retraction, Kharge noted that the remarks had already circulated widely in the media and on social media platforms. “I am forced to stand up today and condemn Anurag Thakur’s wild allegations. I expect an apology from the Leader of the House, which is the very least the ruling party can and must do,” he said.

Kharge further stated, “If Thakur cannot prove his allegations, he has no right to be in Parliament. He should resign. If the allegations are proved, I will resign.”

Anurag Thakur's Allegations On Congress Amid Waqf Bill Row

The remarks came after Anurag Thakur on Wednesday slammed the Congress party in the Lok Sabha over their opposition to the Waqf bill.

He remarked that the proposed legislation would effectively end what he called Congress's "politics of appeasement".

He claimed that while the Waqf Board was meant to manage properties for the benefit of the Muslim community, the Congress and other opposition parties had misused these lands to form their stronghold, deeming it their "vote bank ATM." "In the scams in Karnataka, what about the name of their national president being propped up in the irregularities?” he alleged.

Opposition members staged a walkout following Kharge’s speech in the Upper House.

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