Bidhuri remarks row: Ali calls it 'hate speech', says could quit House if action not taken; Oppn rallies behind BSP MP

New Delhi, Sep 22 (PTI) BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri's derogatory remarks in Lok Sabha against BSP's Danish Ali triggered a massive outrage on Friday with Speaker Om Birla warning him of "strict action" if such behaviour is repeated and Ali asserting he could consider quitting the membership of the House if no step is taken.

The INDIA bloc parties rallied behind Ali, who said it was nothing less than hate speech and demanded that the matter be referred to the privileges committee of the House even as the BJP issued a show cause notice to Bidhuri.

Amid calls by several opposition parties for Bidhuri's suspension from Lok Sabha for his use of objectionable words during a discussion on the Chandrayaan mission's success on Thursday, Speaker Birla took "serious note" of the comments and warned the Lok Sabha member from South Delhi of "strict action" if such behaviour was repeated in the future.