Congress moves Privilege Motion against PM Modi for sharing Anurag Thakur’s ‘expunged’ caste remarks against Rahul Gandhi

The notice for the motion was moved by former Punjab Chief Minister and now Jalandhar MP Charanjit Singh Channi under rule 222 which gives a member the power, with the consent of the Speaker, to raise a question involving a breach of privilege either of a member or of the House or of a Committee.

In the letter submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Channi said, “On 30 July, 2024, certain objectionable remarks made by Shri Anurag Singh Thakur were expunged from the proceedings of the House by the Speaker, Lok Sabha. Relevant extracts from proceedings are enclosed,” said the letter.

The letter further said that it was shocking to note that the expunged portions were posted by the Prime Minister on ‘X’ “along with whole speech video”.

Sharing Thakur’s speech on X, PM Modi wrote, “This speech by my young and energetic colleague, Shri @ianuragthakur is a must hear. A perfect mix of facts and humour, exposing the dirty politics of the INDI Alliance.”

Rahul, on his part, had accused Thakur of insulting him, and added that he did not want an apology from the BJP MP. “Abuse or insult me as hard as you can but don’t forget we will pass the caste census in this Parliament for sure,” the Leader of the Opposition said.

Channi said in the letter that other objectionable expunged words in the speech had also been posted by the PM.

“As laid down in Practice and Procedure of Parliament by Kaul & Shakdher (7th Edition), it is well established that: ‘The effect in law of an order of the Speaker expunging words, remarks or a portion of the proceedings is as if those words/remarks or that portion of the proceedings had never been spoken. Publication of the expunged words or expressions would amount to a breach of privilege’,” the Jalandhar MP stated.

The letter said that the Prime Minister posting the “expunged remarks” on social media clearly amounts to a breach of privilege and contempt of the House.

“I, therefore, contemplate to move a Privilege Motion against the Prime Minister and request you to please admit my motion and permit me to move the same. Request that privilege proceedings may be initiated against the Prime Minister,” Channi urged.

House proceedings were disrupted on Wednesday with the Opposition demanding an apology by Thakur. They also shouted “We Want Caste Census” in the Lok Sabha, echoing Rahul Gandhi’s demand. This prompted Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju to lash out at the Congress, alleging that the Opposition was “trying to divide the country”.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, too, hit out at PM Modi, saying, “In Parliament, you don’t ask anyone’s caste. This has been done deliberately to insult. Even the Prime Minister should not support such indecent things.”

“He (Modi) should know when and what things to defend. I strongly condemn such indecent things and Narendra Modi’s tweet in their support,” Kharge told reporters.