Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has taken the step of referring all the complaints relating to the conduct of BJP Lok Sabha MP Ramesh Bidhuri and BSP leader Danish Ali during parliamentary proceedings to the Privileges Committee.
The Privileges Committee will undertake a comprehensive examination of the grievances raised concerning this incident. BSP MP Danish Ali, along with other Opposition MPs, had requested action against Ramesh Bidhuri. Simultaneously, various BJP MPs, including Nishikant Dubey, claimed that Ali had provoked Bidhuri with highly objectionable remarks aimed at the Prime Minister. While Dubey condemned Bidhuri's behavior, he also called on the Speaker to scrutinize Ali's conduct. Consequently, the Privileges Committee will thoroughly investigate all complaints associated with this episode.
The incident in question occurred on September 22, when Bidhuri made derogatory comments, subsequently expunged from the records, targeting BSP member Danish Ali during a Lok Sabha discussion on the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission.
Nishikant Dubey, a BJP MP, expressed his appreciation to the Speaker for initiating an inquiry into the matter involving Danish Ali. He attributed this development to the BJP's majority in the House. Dubey cited previous incidents where no committees were formed to investigate similar issues, resulting in a lack of accountability.
He stated, "With the BJP's majority in the Lok Sabha, it is now possible. Without a committee, there would have been no accountability, as seen in past incidents such as the RJD-Congress-JD(U) altercation over shoes and microphones in 2006, Sonia Gandhi's assault in 2012, or the physical altercation over the formation of Telangana in 2014 that left MPs injured."
The Privileges Committee, present in both Houses of Parliament, consists of 15 members nominated by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Its primary responsibility is to investigate matters concerning the breach of privileges of the House or its members, as referred to it by the House or the Speaker. The committee assesses each case to determine whether a breach of privilege has occurred and provides appropriate recommendations in its report. Any member of the House can raise a question involving a breach of privilege with the consent of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
The Privileges Committee comprises eight members from the BJP, with Sunil Kumar Singh serving as the Chairperson. Additionally, there is one member each from BJD, YSRCP, Shiv Sena, Congress, AITC, and DMK.
After scrutinizing the incidents or cases presented to it, the Parliament Privileges Committee issues recommendations "as it may deem fit." Throughout its examination, the committee may summon relevant parties to provide testimony and review pertinent records. There is no predetermined timeline for the committee to issue its report.
In recent times, the Privileges Committee recommended the lifting of the suspension of Lok Sabha Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who had been suspended for his remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a no-confidence motion debate.
In the Rajya Sabha, the suspension of Congress MP Rajani Patil was revoked on August 7, 2023. BJP MP Saroj Pandey, presenting the Committee of Privileges' report, stated that while the panel found Patil guilty, her suspension until that date was considered adequate, leading to its revocation. This decision was made one day before the no-confidence debate. Patil had been suspended from the Rajya Sabha during the Budget Session of 2023 for allegedly recording the proceedings.
Regarding punitive actions, the authority to decide on penalties lies with the respective Houses of Parliament. If a member is found guilty, they may face suspension or expulsion from the House. While numerous notices have been dismissed in the past, there have also been instances where disciplinary measures were recommended.
One notable instance occurred in December 2005 when 11 MPs, embroiled in a cash-for-query scandal, were expelled from the House.
Another significant incident took place in 1978 when Indira Gandhi was expelled from the House after winning the Lok Sabha elections from Chikmagalur. This decision followed the findings of the Justice Shah Commission, which investigated abuses during the Emergency. The then-Home Minister Charan Singh had submitted a resolution of privilege violation against her based on the commission's findings.
