Union Minister Katheria's Controversial Comments Spark Anger In Parliament

New Delhi: Union minister Ram Shankar Katheria faces anger in Parliament over his inflammatory comments at a public meeting in Agra in Uttar Pradesh. There were repeated disruptions as both houses assembled a day after the Budget.

The opposition Congress has moved both houses for a discussion on the comments.

On Sunday, Mr Katheria had allegedly said at a prayer meeting for murdered Vishwa Hindu Parishad activist Arun Mahaur: "All of this that is happening to the youth in this country, the conspiracies against the Hindu community...We will have to get strong and fight this conflict...Today, one Arun has died, tomorrow another Arun will die...before the second Arun dies (his) killers should go."

Mr Katheria, the Minister of State for Education, today denied saying anything controversial.

"What has been published in newspapers as my speech is completely wrong. I didn't name any community. I only said the killers should be hanged," he said today.

Besides Mr Katheria, several others also allegedly made controversial speeches. Among them was Chaudhary Babu Lal, BJP's lawmaker from Fatehpur Sikri, who allegedly spoke of "warning Muslims about the strength of Hindus."

The opposition has demanded Mr Katheria's resignation.

"The prime minister (Narendra Modi) should sack the minister for making such inflammatory remarks," said Samajwadi Party's Ram Gopal Yadav.

Mr Katheria had yesterday defended what he said.  "Arun Mahaur was murdered in broad daylight while returning from a prayer. He was murdered because he used to work against two taskhars (smugglers) and was the vice president of the VHP. There is too much anger among the Hindu community and that is why these protests have taken place. The protests will continue until we get justice. "

Mr Mahaur was shot dead last week allegedly by a man named Shahrukh.