NEW DELHI: A day after a legislator was caught spitting ‘gutka’ (paan masala) inside the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, Speaker Satish Mahana on Wednesday announced an immediate ban on the consumption of pan-masala and gutka on Vidhan Sabha premises.
Any individual found violating the rule will face a fine of Rs 1,000, along with further action as per Assembly regulations.
The decision follows an incident on Tuesday when a legislator was found spitting ‘gutka’ on the carpet at the entrance of the main hall of the Vidhan Sabha. The act drew sharp criticism, overshadowing the day’s proceedings. Speaker Mahana, upon being informed about the stain, personally visited the spot and directed sanitation staff to clean it. A video of him supervising the cleaning, alongside minister of state for employment and Labour Mannu Kori and MLAs Ajay Singh (Karnailganj) and Dhirendra Singh (Jewar), surfaced and went viral.
Expressing his frustration, Mahana was heard questioning, “Why should everyone face humiliation because of one legislator’s deed? Will the staff keep cleaning spitting stains in the Assembly?” He then instructed officials to identify the legislator responsible and ensure he pays for replacing the carpet.
Later, addressing the House, Mahana reiterated his dismay over the incident. “This morning, I was informed that an honourable legislator spat ‘paan masala’ in the legislative assembly hall. I reached the spot and got the stains cleaned. I have seen the legislator in the video, but I do not want to humiliate anyone by taking his name,” he said.
Calling for discipline among legislators, he urged members to intervene if they ever witness such acts. “This is not just my Vidhan Sabha; it belongs to all 403 members and 25 crore people of Uttar Pradesh. Keeping it clean is our collective responsibility,” he asserted.
Mahana also gave the unnamed legislator a chance to come forward voluntarily, warning that if he did not, he would be called out. “If the said member comes to me and confesses, it would be good. Otherwise, I would have to call him,” he added.