NEW DELHI: BJP MPs on Monday submitted a notice for breach of parliamentary privilege, citing ethics and propriety concerns over Sonia Gandhi’s alleged use of “derogatory and slanderous words” against the President of India, accusing the Rajya Sabha MP of attempting to ‘undermine the dignity’ of the nation’s highest office.
“We write this with great dismay about certain unparliamentary, derogatory, and demeaning remarks recently made by Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, against the Hon’ble President of India, which warrant serious consideration and disciplinary action. The remarks in question, as publicly quoted, were: “The poor lady, the President, was getting very tired by the end… she could hardly speak, poor thing,” said BJP in the notice addressed to the Rajya Sabha chairman.
“It is with deep concern that we highlight this statement, which appears to demean the stature and dignity of the President of India, the highest constitutional authority of our nation. Such remarks not only undermine the dignity of the office but also violate the sanctity of parliamentary procedures and conventions,” they added.
The party further explained their intent behind sending the notice, explaining, “It is relevant to state that Smt. Gandhi’s utterances against the Hon’ble President can in no way get the benefit of parliamentary privileges.” “Furthermore, even Parliamentary Ethics and Code of Conduct prescribes that no member should utter defamatory words against others. The intent is to make the members conscious about their conduct and responsibilities. This assumes significance when it concerns the President of India and that too when spoken about within the Parliamentary premises,” also read the notice.
Then they urged the Rajya Sabha chair to “take cognizance of this matter and initiate appropriate disciplinary action against Smt. Sonia Gandhi.” “Such action is imperative not only to uphold the sanctity of parliamentary rules but also to reinforce the principles of decorum and mutual respect that are foundational to the effective functioning of our democratic institutions,” they said requesting that “exemplary action for breach of Parliamentary Privileges, Ethics & Propriety be initiated against Smt. Sonia Gandhi for this contemptuous conduct.”
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The BJP MPs also filed the notice against Independent MP and Congress supporter Pappu Yadav for remarks “against President of India with the motive to lower the dignity of the highest office” “through usage of derogatory and slanderous words”.
Yadav sparked controversy with remarks about President Droupadi Murmu and her address in Parliament on January 31. “The President is like a stamp. She just has to read a love letter…”he had said, irking the BJP who demanded an apology.