The Rajya Sabha witnessed heated exchanges on Wednesday after CPI(M) MP John Brittas moved a privilege notice against BJP member Sushmita Dev, alleging that she made a derogatory remark against him during proceedings.
Brittas alleged that Dev repeatedly referred to him as “lungi wala” while he was speaking in the House, and said the use of such stereotypes in parliamentary discourse was unacceptable.
“A member came here while I was fulfilling my duty as a member (reading a resolution against a Bill) and was disturbing me, repeatedly calling me ‘lungiwala’,” he said.
“I was wearing a dhoti, and I am proud to be a Malayali, proud to be a South Indian. These are all part of our attire and culture. But such stereotypes, when used in a derogatory manner, are not acceptable,” Brittas said.
Brittas found support from Opposition members, while members of the Treasury benches demanded that Dev also be given an opportunity to present her side before any decision was taken.
Amid the uproar, Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan said he would call the concerned MPs to his chamber to discuss the matter and adjourned the proceedings till 2 pm.
“There should be no disrespect. I will invite the concerned members to my chamber and sort things out,” Radhakrishnan said.
Leader of the House J.P. Nadda said Brittas’s remarks had been placed on record and Dev should also be allowed to speak. “We do not subscribe to such statements. We do not call it lungi; we call it dhoti,” he said.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also stressed the need to maintain the dignity of the House.
“Every member is equal in the House, and if there is anything unbecoming of the dignity of the House, the Chairman may call the members to his chamber and hear them out,” Rijiju said.
