On Thursday, TMC MP Derek O’Brien on Thursday hit out at PM Modi claiming he encouraged 'hatred' by following people who ran 'hate' campaigns on social media. Derek O’Brien said: “26 Twitter handles that give out rape threats, communal threats are followed by the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi.”

The TMC leader claimed that two accounts that were suspended by Twitter and yet the PM followed these ‘Twitter trolls, paid handles’. One of the handles he referred to was Rahul Raj whose Twitter handle is @Bhaksala. Reacting to O’Brien’s claims, Raj tweeted that he had never met the PM and his account had never been suspended. He wrote on Twitter: “After these wild & nasty allegations by @quizderek, I feel threatened as a common man. Parliament should protect common men, not scare them.”

Many Twitter users also spoke up in support of Rahul Raj. Meanwhile, Union Minister Smriti Irani also rebutted Derek O’Brien in parliament, urging the speaker to expunge the names. She said: “An individual was named yesterday by my colleague Derek O'Brien, that individual is not a politician, not a celebrity...he's a common citizen who has the right to free speech but does not enjoy the privilege of this house."

She added, "As the convention of this house, I am beseeching you, kindly expunge the name of an individual as you've done on many occasions so the individual who cannot defend himself do so."

While Irani didn’t name anymore, her gesture drew a thank you on Twitter from Rahul who wrote: “Thanks a lot @smritiirani ma'am. Thanks a lot. You spoke for the millions of commoners like me.”

Rahul Raj later added tweeted later that he would be taking a break from social media.

Dear @quizderek, 1. I was never suspended by twitter 2. I have never met @narendramodi I feel bad for your quizzing abilities now pic.twitter.com/iZJytY1M7p — Rahul Raj (@bhak_sala) February 2, 2017

After these wild & nasty allegations by @quizderek, I feel threatened as a common man. Parliament should protect common men, not scare them — Rahul Raj (@bhak_sala) February 2, 2017

@bhak_sala Terrible that @quizderek should make a reference to you without adequate diligence.. He must apologize. @narendramodi — Amit Malviya (@malviyamit) February 2, 2017

Both the names mentioned by this ill-mannered & fustian MP @quizderek categorically deny the slander. This matter should be taken further. pic.twitter.com/pgmwp0c6Yh — Anand Ranganathan (@ARanganathan72) February 2, 2017

Mr Minister @AnanthKumar_BJP , your department should summon @bhak_sala to depose in the parliament. Citizen's right to clear his name. https://t.co/cFCduPnJEi — | nisheeth sharan | (@nisheethsharan) February 2, 2017

Horrifying that common citizens can be bullied and lied about by parliamentarians. I wonder if @BJP4India has the spine to #IStandWithBhak — Nupur (@UnSubtleDesi) February 2, 2017

Can some1 file privilege motion against MP for stating wrong facts in RS @BJP4India & get the records expunged #PlsCheckFactsDerek — Vijay (@centerofright) February 2, 2017

Looks like a clear case of perjury. A deliberate attempt is being made to fix voices on social media. https://t.co/pUVqoT1xCp — Maheish Girri (@MaheishGirri) February 2, 2017

BJP's Central Minister @smritiirani slammed @quizderek for quoting @bhak_sala & Other social media volunteers name in Rajya sabha pic.twitter.com/iprfHSTuyQ — Tajinder Pal S Bagga (@TajinderBagga) February 3, 2017

Nice of Smriti Irani to stand up in Parliament for private citizen @bhak_sala, whom Derek O'Brien had wrongly and needlessly attacked in RS — Abhijit Majumder (@abhijitmajumder) February 3, 2017