Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij
Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij has raked up yet another controversy by calling the Congress a progeny of the British because it was formed by a British national Allan Octavian Hume.
"The people in Congress are 'angrezon ki aulaad,'said Mr Vij in the Haryana Assembly today. Mr Vij's remarks came after Congress lawmakers started walking out of the state assembly objecting to his proposal of renaming rural sports complexes which are named after former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Defending his statements in the House, Mr Vij later said, "History is replete with a number of freedom fighters but the Congress people never think beyond Nehru and Gandhi families."
Angry Congress lawmakers, who boycotted the assembly proceeding for rest of the day, have demanded a public apology from both the Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and the 62 year-old Mr Vij.
"We will not sit silently. We will not allow the house to run till they tender an apology in the assembly," said former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who led a protest march from the assembly complex to Governor's residence - a distance of 1.5 km.
The Congress lawmakers also submitted a memorandum to the Governor demanding the dismissal of the BJP-led state government, alleging that it is making "irresponsible comments" and using "insulting and derogatory" language for national leaders.
At a press conference held at his residence, Mr Hooda said, "I have remained an MP and a four-time legislator but I have never seen this kind of an attitude and behaviour as displayed by BJP MLAs."
This is the second time in ten days that the Haryana minister has raked up a controversy with his statements.
Last week Mr Vij had said that Indians must opt for 'Namaste' instead of the 'foreign habit' of handshakes to stay healthy.