Ananth kumar Hegde tenders apology in Lok Sabha

Seeking to end the controversy that erupted over his remarks and stalled parliamentary proceedings, Union minister Anantkumar Hegde on Thursday tendered an apology in the Lok Sabha after a nudge by the Speaker but he said his speech at a function in Karnataka was distorted.

As soon as the House assembled, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge sought to raise the issue of Hegde's controversial remarks on secularism and changing the Constitution, but Speaker Sumitra Mahajan



prevented him saying the Minister of State for Skill Development would make a statement.

Hegde first said that he held the country, the Constitution and its architect B R Ambedkar in high esteem and there was no question of showing disrespect to them.

"As a citizen, I can't think of violating the Constitution," he said.

After this, the Congress, led by Kharge, again protested demanding an apology from Hegde.