Thakur Files Contempt Notice Against Gandhi Over 'Unparliamentary' Remarks
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Anurag Thakur has submitted a breach of privilege and contempt notice in the Lok Sabha against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over remarks made during the debate on the anti-paper leak bill. The notice, addressed to Speaker Om Birla, alleges that Gandhi used unparliamentary language and made baseless allegations against Home Minister Amit Shah.
In the notice filed under Rule 222 read with Rule 223 of the Rules of Procedure, Thakur highlighted Gandhi's use of terms like 'idiots' and 'andh bhakt' (blind devotees). These words, Thakur argued, fall under the category of expressions deemed unfit for use in the House, as per successive compilations by the Lok Sabha Secretariat. He cited Rule 362(11), which bars members from making personal references, and stated that such language demeans the dignity of Parliament and constitutes contempt of the House.
Thakur also took issue with Gandhi's allegations against Amit Shah, claiming they were grave and unsubstantiated. Gandhi had accused Shah of ordering a police crackdown on students attempting to march to Parliament on July 20. According to Thakur, Gandhi did not provide advance notice under Rule 353, nor did he present any documentary evidence to support his claims. This, Thakur said, denied the Home Minister a fair opportunity to respond and violated the spirit of parliamentary procedure.
The notice further noted that this was not the first instance of such conduct by Gandhi, referencing previous violations of Rules 352 and 353. Thakur's letter argued that by levelling serious charges without prior notice, Gandhi had brought the propriety of proceedings into question.
Gandhi's remarks in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday sparked a significant uproar, with MPs and ministers condemning his statements. Amid the chaos, the anti-paper leak bill was passed. Parts of Gandhi's speech were later expunged from the official records. The BJP has demanded an apology from Gandhi, which he has so far refused.
