‘When a mother kisses son, is it sex?’: Jitan Ram Manjhi backs Azam Khan

Hindustani Awam Morcha leader and former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi said Azam Khan’s statement was being misinterpreted, and he should apologise but not resign.

Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Azam Khan whose sexist remark against BJP MP Rama Devi inside Parliament drew widespread criticism, has now found the support of Hindustani Awam Morcha leader and former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi.

Former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi backed Azam Khan whose sexist remarks against BJP MLA Rama Devi have sparked criticism. (PTI Photo)

Manjhi, however, seems to have stoked another controversy with his bizarre comment, made in defence of the SP leader.

“When a brother and sister meet, they kiss. Does it equal sex? A mother kisses her son and the son kisses his mother. Is that sex? Azam Khan’s statement is misinterpreted. So, he should apologize but not resign,” Manjhi told ANI.

The SP leader had created a controversy after he made objectionable remarks against Rama Devi when she was presiding over the debate on the triple talaq bill this Thursday in the Lok Sabha.

Despite several BJP MPs seeking an apology from Khan for his remarks, he has not apologised and said he will resign if he had said anything unparliamentary.

Lok Sabha Speaker OM Birla has assured the House that he will take a decision shortly after consulting leaders of various parties.

(The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text, only the headline has been changed)