New Delhi: A ruckus erupted within the Rajya Sabha Wednesday morning after CPI(M) MP John Brittas accused BJP MP Sushmita Dev of creating derogatory remarks towards him by calling him a ‘lungiwala’.
The BJP MP’s alleged remarks led the CPM to hit again, terming it an insult to South Indians. Brittas didn’t point out Dev’s title contained in the Home however referred to her whereas interacting with the media.
Brittas, who represents Kerala within the Rajya Sabha, mentioned he has moved a privilege movement towards Sushmita Dev.
The alleged incident occurred on 10 August throughout a dialogue in Rajya Sabha on the Taxation and Different Legal guidelines (Modification) Invoice, 2026.
The difficulty was raised within the Rajya Sabha and the chairman maintained that there needs to be no disrespect. The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm amid uproar over Sushmita Dev’s alleged disparaging remarks towards Brittas.
“Sir, it’s with a heavy coronary heart that I elevate this matter as a result of it’s a query of the garima (dignity) of this home, its status and honour. And it’s a bipartisan situation. Let me simply inform on the outset I’m a proud Indian, South Indian and naturally a proud Malayali, sir. I cherish each second being a Malayali, our language, tradition, delicacies and naturally our Structure celebrates our range,” Brittas mentioned within the Rajya Sabha.
“Sir, in the event you ask me once I’m leaving this home, which might occur very quickly, what’s the takeaway from this home? I will surely say that the most important takeaway could be this sterling range which holds the unity of this nation in a novel approach. That might be my takeaway. Sir, the opposite day, an honourable member who I maintain in excessive esteem, let me simply say, that member got here right here and was disturbing me once I was fulfilling my obligation as a mover of a statute of decision… Verbal debate is okay, we debate with one another… She repeatedly known as me lungiwala, lungiwala,” he added.
Brittas advised the media he has served a privilege discover towards Sushmita Dev. “The opposite day, whereas I used to be talking within the Home, she made a derogatory comment—lungiwala—towards me. I used to be carrying a dhoti, and I’m proud to be a Malayali, proud to be a South Indian. And these are all a part of our tradition. However such stereotypes are made in a derogatory method, which isn’t acceptable,” he advised the media.
“And I really feel that the Home ought to take a view on this that we’ve moved a privileged discover towards her. I’ve nothing towards her, after all,” he added.
Nonetheless, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju whereas talking within the Rajya Sabha mentioned he had not heard what Brittas was alluding to.
“Sir, on this August Home, each honourable member is equal, we’re all equal Indians. Sure sir, if there’s something which is objectionable or which is unbecoming of the character of the nation or the dignity of the home, I want to request the honourable chairman to name the member to your chamber and hearken to what occurred. As a result of, I’m not witness to no matter honourable member is saying,” mentioned Rijiju.
Referring to Sushmita Dev’s remark, Brittas advised the media: “It’s shorthand for othering… The remarks she made are unbecoming of a Member of Parliament, and I consider the Hon’ble Chairman and the Committee of Privileges will pay attention to this.”
The chairman in his ruling maintained that each one members needs to be cautious to not harm the feelings and emotions of fellow members.
“Honourable members, sure incidents have come to my discover concerning discourteous and undignified feedback being made by members interrupting the speech of different members in the home. Our tradition is exclusive. I might advise the honourable members to watch out to not harm the feelings and the emotions of fellow members,” the chairman mentioned.
Reacting to the controversy, Congress MP Christopher Tilak backed Brittas, saying: “It was an insult by the BJP to South Indian tradition. It isn’t simply concerning the apparel. Yesterday, one of many senior Members of Parliament from the Rajya Sabha, John Brittas, was presenting his query when a member from West Bengal insultingly known as him ‘lungiwala, lungiwala.’ That is very unlucky in a nation with a lot range. This clearly reveals the BJP’s angle in direction of the non-Hindi-speaking belt.”
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
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