| 28 September 2023
| Christie Anto
New Delhi, India– Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has taken a significant step in addressing the recent controversy involving BJP member Ramesh Bidhuri's use of objectionable words against BSP's Danish Ali. In response to the uproar in the Parliament, Speaker Birla has referred the matter to the Privileges Committee for further investigation, according to reliable sources.
The incident in question occurred during a heated parliamentary session when Ramesh Bidhuri, a BJP Member of Parliament from South Delhi, made remarks deemed offensive towards Danish Ali, a Member of Parliament representing the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). This incident quickly escalated, with MPs from both the opposition and the ruling BJP offering their views on the matter.
Danish Ali, along with several other opposition MPs, including Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and DMK's Kanimozhi, demanded strong action against Bidhuri for his allegedly inappropriate remarks. Meanwhile, several BJP parliamentarians, led by Nishikant Dubey, contended that Danish Ali had provoked Bidhuri during his speech, leading to the use of objectionable language.
Nishikant Dubey, in particular, urged Speaker Om Birla to investigate Danish Ali's role in the incident and claimed that Ali had "incited" Bidhuri's actions. Dubey expressed his gratitude to Speaker Birla for referring the matter to the Privileges Committee in a post on a popular social media platform.
In his post, Dubey stated, "It was possible because the BJP has a majority in Lok Sabha," highlighting the ruling party's influence in the lower house of Parliament. He further cited several previous incidents where no committees were formed to investigate similar issues, nor were any individuals held accountable.
The Privileges Committee, which will now take up the case, is chaired by BJP MP Sunil Kumar Singh. Its primary role is to examine issues related to the privileges and immunities of Members of Parliament. The committee will conduct a thorough investigation into the matter, considering the various complaints and viewpoints presented by MPs from both sides of the aisle.
This decision by Speaker Om Birla to refer the matter to the Privileges Committee underscores the importance of parliamentary decorum and the need to uphold the dignity of the institution. It reflects the commitment of the Lok Sabha leadership to address instances of misconduct and offensive language within the House.
As the Privileges Committee begins its inquiry, it is expected to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and assess the conduct of all involved parties. The outcome of this investigation will have far-reaching implications for maintaining parliamentary discipline and fostering a more respectful and constructive debate environment.
The controversy surrounding Ramesh Bidhuri's comments and the subsequent referral to the Privileges Committee have once again brought the issue of parliamentary conduct into the spotlight. While political parties may hold differing opinions on the matter, the expectation remains that the Privileges Committee's findings will uphold the principles of fairness and justice, ensuring accountability for those involved.
As the investigation unfolds, all eyes will be on the Privileges Committee, as it plays a crucial role in determining the fate of the BJP member Ramesh Bidhuri and addressing the concerns raised by various MPs regarding the incident in the Lok Sabha.
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