"Not a racist remark": Congress' Abdur Mandal defends Tejashwi Yadav's 'Chinese' remark

Kamrup Metropolitan (Assam) [India], September 1 (ANI): Assam Congress MLA Abdur Rashid Mandal on Sunday defended Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav's "Chinese" remark for Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma saying "I do not think it is a racist remark."
Twjashwi had referred to CM Himanta as the "Chinese version of Yogi," while attacking him over Assam Assembly's decision to end the 2-hour Jumma practice on Friday.
"I do not think it is a racist remark. There are goods in the market marketed by the Chinese made from the latest technology to make it popularise... operation made by Himanta Biswa is termed as Chinese," Mandal told ANI.
Earlier today, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Sunday termed Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav's remark on Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa as "unfortunate" and racist.
He said that Yadav's remark not only insulted Sarma but also disrespected the people of Northeast India and Assam.
He also demanded that Tejashwi Yadav apologize for his irresponsible remark.
"This is unfortunate, ...such a racist comment... He has not only insulted Himanta Biswa Sarma ji but also disrespected the people of Northeast India and Assam. He needs to apologize for this irresponsible statement," Shekhawat told ANI.
Earlier today, RJD MP Manoj Jha defended his party leader Tejashwi Yadav's "Chinese" remark for Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Jha said that the remark was against the dog-whistle politics of the BJP.
"What Tejashwi Yadav said is something that people say daily. When we say that something is "Chinese maal", it means it is not durable," Jha told ANI
"He said it in the context of dog-whistle politics, the politics of polarisation. As far as the dignity of words is concerned, where do you place 'bhains', 'mangalsutra' and 'mujra'?" he added.
The Assam assembly ended the practice of a two-hour adjournment for Jumma Prayers, every Friday that was introduced by Saadulah's Muslim League government in colonial Assam.
Assam Speaker Biswajit Daimary said that the decision was taken as it had become difficult to hold discussions on Fridays due to a lack of time.
According to the previous rule, the sitting of the Assembly on Friday used to be adjourned at 11 am to facilitate Muslim members to go for namaaz, but, as per the new rule, the Assembly will conduct its proceedings without any adjournment for religious purposes.
As per the amended rule, the Assam assembly will commence its proceedings at 9.30 am every day, including Fridays. The order stated that the amendment was done to scrap the colonial practice, which aimed at dividing society on a religious basis. (ANI)