BHOPAL: More than 100 retired officials, including IAS and IPS officers, who are a part of the "Constitutional Conduct Group," have demanded that BJP MP Pragya Thakur be punished for her divisive remarks in Shimoga, Karnataka.

The former officials urged harsh action against the Bhopal MP for a contentious speech she made in Shimoga, Karnataka, 15 days earlier in a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on January 7.

Notably, Thakur was overheard urging ladies to keep knives handy for their safety during a session in Shimoga. Thakur had added, "At least keep your kitchen knives sharp; they (Muslims) can barge into your homes."

In their letter to Birla, Ex-officials have termed Thakur's speech  as controversial, amounting to "hate speech" and "spreading hatred" among the people. Those who have signed this letter includes - ex-Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh government- Sharad Baihar, Delhi's former Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung,  Ex-Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon, ex-IPS A. S. Dulat and many more.

CCG's letter to Birla wherein it is noted: "We are a group of Ex-officers of the All India & Central Services who have worked with the Central and State governments in the course of our career. As members of the Constitutional Conduct Group, we believe  in neutrality and impartiality commitment to the Indian Constitution and safeguarding its values," 
"As the body that enacts laws, Parliament has a bigger responsibility for preserving constitutional principles. Its members shouldn't be permitted to disregard the Constitution's fundamental values. We, therefore, ask the Lok Sabha Speaker to act in this regard "It further read.

Thakur replied to the letter by stating that she was adamant about what she had said in Karnataka. "I said that to protect women's safety, and I have no fear of such a letter. You are aware that I have many adversaries here waiting to harm me if my comment was unconstitutional."