It was an act of self-defence

Rajagopal says he used pepper spray to protect himself and TDP MP Venugopal

New Delhi: The Vijayawada MP Lagadapati Rajagopal who has been under fire from various quarters for his pepper spray attack, following which MPs including Rahul Gandhi and the Speaker Meira Kumar had to rush out of the Lok Sabha, defended his act of using the pepper spray saying that he did it in self-defence.

Rajagopal, who was suspended from the Lok Sabha by Speaker Meira Kumar, also demanded similar action against Congress MPs alleging they had "pounced" on him and TDP member Venugopal Reddy.

He said he had gone to rescue TDP MP M Venugopala Reddy who was targeted by Congress MPs and was being beaten up while protesting in the well of the House. “I immediately rushed from the other side to protect him. They started attacking me. So immediately as a self-defence, I used the pepper spray," Rajagopal said. “I know how these divisive forces and how they created ruckus on many occasions. So I always carry that in my pocket, and I used it the moment they started attacking," he said. He said, “Though I can afford security, I don’t have them. I only carry pepper spray with me.”

Rajagopal said, "Pepper spray does not cause any great harm.” On his suspension from the House, he said, "they should suspend the entire Congress leaders who had pounced on us. Speaker should also suspend all the Congress MPs who went to the well.”