Kiren Rijiju hints at possible privilege proceedings against Rahul Gandhi

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju indicated on Wednesday (July 3) that the government will request Speaker Om Birla to initiate privilege proceedings against Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha.

The union minister said that under Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, the Speaker can direct a member to provide validation of claims made in the House, failing which the matter could head to a privilege committee.

“Action will proceed according to the rule under which the notice or appeal has been made. According to the provisions of the rules, the Honourable Speaker can direct the member to provide details explaining why and under what circumstances he misled the House. The member may then need to substantiate his statements, apologize, or take whatever action is deemed necessary,” Rijiju told reporters.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

“And, there are other means. If he fails to do anything then the Honourable Speaker may refer the matter to the Privilege Committee. I cannot speak on behalf of the Speaker, I can only make an appeal on behalf of the government,” the minister added.

LoP Rahul Gandhi’s speech, which he delivered in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday (July 2), had led to anoutburst by the members of the Cabinet, including the Prime Minister, defence minister and home minister, among others.

Gandhi locked horns with PM Modi on more than one instance during his speech. During the speech, home minister Amit Shah stood up to ask Speaker Om Birla for “protection”. “You are going over the rules to give them concessions, we need your protection,” Shah had urged the Speaker.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, told Speaker Om Birla, during his address as part of the Motion of Thanks debate, to take action against Gandhi.

"Parliament was misled yesterday ... We cannot safeguard parliamentary democracy without addressing what happened seriously. We should not dismiss these actions as merely childish ... I say this because the intentions behind them are not good," the Prime Minister had said.

Rijiju also said that after the various chants in the House during oath-taking, Speaker Om Birla formed a committee which has passed a new rule that henceforth no political chants will be allowed during oath-taking.

“The oath-taking will be regulated, it is a solemn occasion,” Rijiju said.

“It is fine to interrupt a few times in between but to constantly try and drown the Prime Minister’s address, it is unfortunate … It has never happened before. The Congress has to think that the Prime Minister leads the country, they should respect the chair,” he added.

More than 50 members laid their speeches on the Table of the House and discussions of more than 18 hours took place.

In the Rajya Sabha, during the 264th sitting, 76 members participated in the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s speech for over 21 hours, resulting in total productivity exceeding 100%.

(With inputs from agencies)