New Delhi:
Parliament today strongly condemned the assault on Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar at a public function in New Delhi.
Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar said the House strongly condemns the unfortunate incident of assault on the Agriculture Minister.
The House "expresses its unequivocal disapproval of taking recourse to violent and undemocratic means to express disagreement," she said.
Before the Lok Sabha met for the day, several members went across to Pawar, who was seated in his allotted seat in the first row, as a gesture.
Rajya Sabha too condemned the assault on Pawar.
When the House met for the day, Chairman Hamid Ansari made a mention of the incident that took place yesterday barely a few kilometers away from Parliament.
"I am sure the whole House will join me in condemning the assault" on Pawar, he said as members thumped their desks in show of support," he said.
The union minister was yesterday slapped by a man at the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) centre in New Delhi. The incident occurred while he was leaving the premises after attending a literary function.
The attacker, identified as Harvinder Singh, reportedly blamed Pawar for rising prices of essential commodities.
"This is my answer to corrupt politicians," shouted the attacker as he took out his kirpan (small knife) and threatened to kill politicians.
He was whisked away by security guards soon after and was subsequently arrested by the Delhi Police. He has been charged with attempted suicide, assault and criminal intimidation and sent to 14-day judicial custody.