BJP MP Anurag Thakur has filed a notice of breach of privilege against Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi over remarks made in the Lok Sabha on July 29 during the discussion on the Anti-Paper Leak Bill.
Thakur said the remarks concerning students, "idiots" and "blind devotees" were insulting and defamatory, violated parliamentary decorum and breached Rules 352(ii), (iii) and (vii).
However, Rahul Gandhi's remarks relating to "idiots" and "blind devotees" have been expunged from the House proceedings.
During the discussion on July 29, Rahul Gandhi, without naming any individual, referred to a conversation he had with a female student at Jantar Mantar.
Sharing the student's explanation, he said there are three categories of people: students, idiots and blind followers.
According to Rahul Gandhi, the student described a student as someone who pursues truth with an open heart and an open mind.
He said the student defined an idiot as "an arrogant person who considers himself a god and listens to no one."
According to him, the student described a blind devotee as "someone who is convinced that the idiot is God."
The remarks drew objections from ruling party ministers, including Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.
Responding to the objections, Rahul Gandhi clarified that he was not referring to any member or naming anyone inside the House and was only sharing the words of the student.
A breach of privilege occurs when the rights and privileges of a Member of Parliament or a member of a legislature are violated or abridged.
Members enjoy special privileges under Article 105 of the Constitution for Parliament and Article 194 for state legislatures.
Obstruction is the primary ground for a breach of privilege.
It may arise when a person or official obstructs an MP from performing parliamentary duties, makes false statements or unfounded allegations against the House, its committees or members, commits contempt of the House, disobeys House orders or publishes an inaccurate report of its proceedings.
An aggrieved MP can submit a notice of breach of privilege to the Speaker in the Lok Sabha or the Chairman in the Rajya Sabha.
If the Speaker or Chairman finds merit in the notice, the matter is referred to the Committee on Privileges for investigation.
If the committee finds the member guilty, the House may impose a warning, suspension from the House or other appropriate penalties.
