In a tumultuous session at the Indian Parliament, two separate incidents have stirred controversy, shedding light on the challenges of maintaining decorum and ethical standards within the hallowed halls of democracy.
Expulsion of Mahua Moitra:
Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra’s five-year journey in the Lok Sabha came to an abrupt end as she faced expulsion in connection with a cash-for-question case. The expulsion followed a contentious debate in which Moitra was not allowed to speak despite the Trinamool’s request to make her the speaker on behalf of the party. The voting, which favored Moitra’s expulsion, prompted her to read out a prepared statement outside the Lok Sabha, where she condemned the proceedings as a “kangaroo court.”
Moitra reiterated that there was no evidence of cash or gifts and criticized the ethics committee’s decision, stating that industrialist Darshan Hiranandani, implicated in the case, was not heard. The allegations against Moitra involved accepting gifts and cash in exchange for using her Parliament login to post questions against Gautam Adani and the Adani Group. The expulsion decision, based on the committee’s recommendation, drew criticism from the Congress and Trinamool, with both parties seeking more time to review the report.
Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee decried the process as an injustice to Moitra and questioned the limited time given to parties to read a substantial report before the debate. The controversy surrounding Moitra’s expulsion has become a rallying point for the opposition, with Sonia Gandhi standing in support during the aftermath of the decision.
Derogatory Remarks by BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri:
In another disturbing incident, BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri unleashed derogatory slurs against BSP MP Danish Ali during a heated exchange in the Lok Sabha. The offensive comments, including Islamophobic terms, were captured on live television, causing outrage across party lines. Despite the shocking nature of the remarks, the BJP high command has not taken official action against Bidhuri.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed regret over the incident but claimed not to have personally heard the derogatory remarks. Former Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and former Union Law Minister Ravishankar Prasad were seen smiling during the exchange, further fueling the controversy.
The incident drew sharp criticism from various political leaders, with Congress leader Jairam Ramesh dismissing Singh’s apology as “half-hearted.” TMC MP Mahua Moitra condemned the incident on social media, questioning whether the BJP leadership and the media would take any action. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla warned Bidhuri of “strict action” if such behavior were to recur but did not take immediate punitive measures.
Various political parties, including Congress, DMK, TMC, and NCP, have moved privilege motions against Bidhuri, demanding a thorough examination by the privileges committee. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited Ali to show support, emphasizing the need for love in a climate marked by hatred.
Unequal Treatment in Lok Sabha:
The contrasting responses to the two incidents within the Lok Sabha have raised eyebrows. While Mahua Moitra faced swift expulsion based on the ethics committee’s recommendation, BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri, despite making offensive remarks, has not faced immediate official action. This disparity has fueled concerns about the impartiality of the parliamentary processes, especially considering the majority of BJP members in the ethics committee.
As the controversies continue to unfold, the nation watches closely, questioning the commitment to upholding parliamentary decorum and justice within the Indian political landscape.
