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John Brittas vs Sushmita Dev ‘lungiwala’ row escalates as BJP MP moves privilege notice against CPI(M) leader
The CPI(M) leader had also earlier moved a privilege notice against Sushmita Dev and criticised the use of stereotypes in parliamentary discourse.
The row betweem Sushmita Dev and John Brittas escalated as the BJP MP moved a breach of privilege notice against the CPI(M) leader on Wednesday. This came hours after CPI(M) lawmaker John Brittas alleged that a member from the ruling side made disparaging remarks about his attire during his Monday address, calling him "lungi-wala."
Brittas further went on to move a breach of privilege notice against Dev.“I’m a proud Indian, South Indian and a proud Malayali…I cherish every moment being a Malayali — our language, culture, cuisine, and of course, our attire,” Brittas said.
Alleging that a member of the House, without naming the Bharatiya Dev, disturbed him and also passed remarks on his attire, he said, “The other day, an honourable member whom I hold in high esteem— that member came here and was disturbing me when I was fulfilling my obligation as a mover of a statutory resolution. The verbal duel is okay. We fight each other. But she repeatedly called me ‘lungi-wala, lungi-wala.’”
Dev said that neither she nor any other member has cast aspersions against any state’s attire. She added that she is willing to approach Brittas personally.
JP Nadda said both members can come to his chamber to clarify the misunderstanding.
The chairman CP Radhakrishnan said, “Members, certain instances have come to my notice regarding discourteous and undignified comments being made by members interrupting the speech of other members in the House. I would advise that Hon'ble members should be careful not to hurt the sentiments and feelings of fellow members. Our culture is unique and inclusive of diverse regional cultures. There should be no disrespect to the cultural traditions and regional identities of our colleagues.”
He further invited the concerned members to his chamber. “If anybody wants to express their feelings, I’m inviting every member to come to my chamber,” Radhakrishnan said.
Union Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju requested the chair to allow Dev to give her response on record. “He is making an allegation against one of the members. The conduct of the House demands that both members should be heard because Hon'ble member John Brittas’s statement has gone on record,” Rijiju said.
The chairman said he would speak to both MPs, while the ruling side insisted that Dev also be given a chance to state her side of the story on record.
Leader of the House JP Nadda said that the government does not subscribe to such statements and respects every state’s attire, further insisting that Dev should be allowed to present her statements.
“Certainly we respect every attire of every state. We don’t call it lungi, it is dhoti and we respect it. We do not subscribe to such statements. But at the same time, what Sushmita Dev has to say should also be on record. Sir, so please allow Sushmita Dev to speak,” he said.
The chairman, however, adjourned the House until 2 pm.
