After the gag order regarding the usage of certain words, comes an order on “unparliamentary” behaviour
Just four days after the Lok Sabha Secretariat published an updated list of unparliamentary words, causing a huge uproar by the presence in the list of several commonly used words as well as specific words the opposition has been using to criticise the government, the Rajya Sabha Secretariat yesterday issued a circular banning anyone from using the Parliament premises for any kind of protests.
The one-line notice, dated July 14, simply says: “Members cannot use the precincts of the Parliament House for any Demonstration, Dharna, Strike, Fast, or for the purpose of performing any religious ceremony.”
Another notice, also issued on July 14, related to the distribution of literature, pamphlets, etc. within the premises, also says: “Placards are also strictly prohibited inside the Parliament House Complex.”
Like in the case of the Lok Sabha Secretariat notice, this is also being seen by the opposition as another attempt to shut the opposition down, and has drawn sharp reactions.
As Congress’ Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh tweeted: “Vishguru’s latest salvo — D(h)arna Mana Hai!”, the pun being on the cult classic Hindi anthology horror film, Darna Mana Hai.
To this, Trinamool Congress’ Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien replied:
During the 2021 monsoon session, the opposition MPs held protests in front of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi against government agencies’ use of the Pegasus spyware to spy on activists, journalists and Opposition politicians, while in the following winter session, 12 MPs were suspended on grounds of misconduct during the monsoon session. Protests were held during the latter session to demand action against Union Minister Ajay Mishra for his son’s role in the crashing to death of farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri.
