BJP MP Anurag Thakur on Thursday moved a breach of privilege notice against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi before Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, accusing him of using unparliamentary and derogatory language and making unsubstantiated allegations against Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
In the three-page notice, Thakur requested the Speaker to refer the matter to the Committee of Privileges for a detailed examination under Rule 227 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha. He also sought appropriate action, including a direction to Gandhi to tender an unconditional apology to the House and to Shah.
Referring to the House proceedings on July 29 during the debate on the anti-paper leak bill, Thakur alleged that Gandhi violated Rule 352 while narrating a purported conversation with protesting students.
‘Students, idiots, andhbhakts’
According to the notice, Gandhi categorised people into three groups, "students", "idiots" and “andhbhakts”, with the latter two terms allegedly referring to citizens and, by implication, political opponents and supporters of the government.
{{/usCountry}}According to the notice, Gandhi categorised people into three groups, "students", "idiots" and “andhbhakts”, with the latter two terms allegedly referring to citizens and, by implication, political opponents and supporters of the government.
{{/usCountry}}Thakur said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju immediately objected to the remarks and demanded that the words be expunged, but Gandhi allegedly repeated them despite being warned by the Chair.
Thakur argued that the terms "idiot" and "andhbhakt" fall within the category of expressions that successive Lok Sabha Secretariat compilations have held to be unparliamentary. He alleged that their use violated Rule 352(ii), which bars personal references by way of imputing motives or questioning the bona fides of any person unless imperatively necessary; Rule 352(iv), which prohibits offensive expressions; and Rule 352(vii), which bars defamatory words directed at any individual or class of persons.
The BJP MP further alleged that Gandhi's remarks were outside the scope of the subject under discussion and therefore violated Rule 352(viii), which requires members to confine their speeches to the matter under debate.
Thakur also accused Gandhi of violating Rule 353 by making "grave and unsubstantiated allegations" against Amit Shah without giving prior notice to the Speaker and the minister concerned. He alleged that Gandhi failed to provide documentary evidence or credible sources to substantiate the claims, thereby denying the Home Minister an opportunity to investigate and respond.
Seeking action, Thakur urged the Speaker to admit the notice and refer it to the Committee of Privileges, alleging that Gandhi's conduct amounted to a breach of privilege and contempt of the House.
(With ANI, PTI inputs)