Reporting of expunged remarks may be sent to Privileges Committee

Rajya Sabha flags breach of privilege

Samajwadi Party member Naresh Agrawal speaks in the Rajya Sabha on July 19, 2017.

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien suggested on Monday that distortion and reporting of expunged remarks of a Samajwadi Party MP by certain media houses be referred to the Privileges Committee.

Mr. Kurien said that he had last week asked the media not to report anything expunged by the Chair from the records. And if the remarks of any member were distorted, it “amounts to breach of privilege” of the Member of Parliament, he said.

‘Comments distorted’

He made the remarks after K.T.S. Tulsi (Nominated) said that 50 lawmakers from 12 parties had signed and given a notice under Rule 188 for breach of privilege by certain media houses for twisting and distorting of the remarks by Naresh Agarwal (SP).

“We welcome criticism, but not in a manner of distorting views and presenting them in a fashion tantamount to defaming” the MP, he said. “The matter should be referred to the Privileges Committee.”

Last week, Mr. Agarwal had made controversial comments on certain Hindu gods which the Chair expunged from records immediately and asked the media not to report them.

Mr. Kurien said that if the remarks had been distorted and if Mr. Tulsi’s notice had been signed by 50 MPs, the matter “will be referred to the committee.”