Moradabad, October 1: In what could trigger a political row, Samajwadi Party (SP) MP ST Hasan has said that Parliament looks like a group of religious people rather than a governing body. Addressing a gathering, ST Hasan, who represents the Moradabad Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh, said: "The situation in Parliament is such that it seems like I'm in a religious congregation rather than Parliament of the country." Om Birla Changes His Stand on Chanting of Religious Slogans in Lok Sabha.

Religious slogans such as "Jai Shri Ram" and "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" were raised in Lok Sabha during the oath-taking ceremony of newly-elected Muslim lawmakers. Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi, his mother Sonia Gandhi and TMC MPs were also welcomed to take the oath amid slogans of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and "Jai Shri Ram." AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi's swearing-in drew all the attention as he responded to the shouts of "Jai Shri Ram" with "Jai Bhim", "Nara-e-Takbeer Allah Hu Akbar" and "Jai Hind."

Hasan's party colleague and MP Shafiqur Rahman Barq, who was also booed by religious chants, responded with "Constitution Zindabad" and refused to say "Vande Mataram." The slogan "Mandir wahin banayenge" (temple will be built there) were raised in the Lok Sabha after Sakshi Maharaj, the BJP MP who won from Unnao in Uttar Pradesh, took oath as a member of the House. He concluded his oath with "Jai Shri Ram."

The slogan "Mandir wahin banayenge" refers to the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya where Babri Masjid once stood. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla had initially said that he wouldn't allow chanting of religious slogans or bullying of MPs in the lower house of Parliament. However, he later changed his stand and said that there is no restriction on chanting "Vande Mataram" or "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" in Lok Sabha.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 01, 2019 05:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).