RS suspends Rajani Patil for “video recording” proceedings

Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge and other leaders question “partial” attitude of the Rajya Sabha television during their interventions, say the suspension violated Rules of Procedure

Congress MP Rajani Ashokrao Patil speaks in Rajya Sabha during the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament. Videograb: Sansad TV

The Rajya Sabha on Friday suspended senior Congress MP Rajani Ashokrao Patil for the remainder of the current Budget Session for allegedly video recording and publishing the visuals from the Upper House. The decision is based on a complaint by Bharatiya Janata Party BJP MP G.V.L. Narasimha Rao against her to Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar. Mr. Dhankhar told the House that the Privileges Committee of Rajya Sabha will hold an enquiry into Mr. Rao’s complaint. He also moved a motion to suspend Ms. Patil who said she had not done anything deliberately and was given a harsh punishment. The Congress members walked out of the House protesting the decision.

Leader of the House Piyush Goyal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi too demanded stern action against such transgressions. They cited directions given by the then Chairman Venkaiah Naidu in July 2022 against filming the proceedings of the House and giving it to others. The decision of the Chairman is also adhering to procedure adopted by Lok Sabha when present Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was suspended from the proceedings of the House for doing a Facebook Live of Parliament.

Mr. Dhankhar also asked leaders of various parties and senior MPs to speak on the issue. Most of the members criticised such behaviour. Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge and other leaders of the Opposition questioned the “partial” attitude of the Rajya Sabha television during their interventions.

Ms. Patil said she has not done anything deliberately. “I belong to a freedom fighter’s family and I should be given natural justice. I have not done anything deliberately,” Ms. Patil told reporters later. “Accusing me like this and straight away giving me the sternest punishment is not fair. I was deliberately named and I felt humiliated,” she added.

Opposition members such as Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Jawahar Sircar questioned the way in which Mr. Rao moved the motion based on Rule 256 of the proceedings. They argued that the motion is in violation of Rules of Procedure and proper notices should have been given to Ms. Patil and action should not be taken based on a complaint by Mr. Rao under Rule 256. The Opposition MPs later claimed that naming of a member by the Chairman on the notice was also irregular.