New Delhi, July 26: Protesting against Samajwadi Party MP Azam Khan's "sexist" remarks directed against Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker Rama Devi, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmakers on Friday called upon Speaker Om Birla to take strict action against him. Members of the treasury benches said lack of exemplary action would set a wrong precedent.

Union Ministers Smriti Irani and Nirmala Sitharaman led the BJP MPs in demanding stern punishment for Azam Khan. Many of the ruling party lawmakers also called for his resignation, saying that an "illicit" remark against a female lawmaker could not be accepted. Azam Khan's 'Aankhon Mein Aankhein' Sexist Comment on BJP MP Rama Devi Creates Uproar in Lok Sabha

"Let us not reduce this to a problem of just women. This is a blot on all legislators including men. This is not a House where men come in and 'Kisi aurat ki aankhon mein jhanka jaye'," Irani said.

"The entire nation watched yesterday what happened. This House passed the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Bill. I appeal to all to speak in one voice- You cannot misbehave with a woman and get away with it by just dramatizing it," she added. Azam Khan Has Never Respected Woman, Will Request Speaker to Dismiss Him, Says Rama Devi

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad asked the Speaker to suspend Azam Khan if he does not agree to apologise before the House for his statements.

"Azam Khan should apologize or else he should be suspended from Lok Sabha, this is our demand," he said.

Sitharaman, meanwhile, lauded the House for taking a united stand against Azam Khan for his contentious remarks. "It is very encouraging to see everyone stand up and speak in once voice condemning what happened yesterday. We look towards you (LS Speaker) for an exemplary action against him," she said.

The Finance Minister, however, marked her apprehensions against Congress lawmaker Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury who recalled the alleged derogatory jibes levelled earlier by BJP MPs against UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

"Congress party is against disrespect of women. There have been incidents when Sonia Gandhi Ji was called 'Italy ki katputli' etc. in the Parliament," Chowdhury said.

In a veiled reaction to his remark, Sitharaman told the House, " To politicize an issue related to women is outrageous, we have to stand together so why the hesitation in some? Why the dilemma? Why add riders? I am not naming anyone for people (pointing towards Congress MPs) to interrupt my speech."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 26, 2019 01:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).