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Mahua Moitra’s comments caused a furore in the Lok Sabha (File)
New Delhi:
The government has decided not to pursue any action against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra over her remarks in parliament on a former Chief Justice of India.
Last evening, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi had said a privilege motion could be moved against Mahua Moitra for her remarks – seen to target former Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi — which have since been expunged.
“Raising the issue of the Ram Mandir judgment (the Ayodhya temple-mosque verdict) and bringing the then Chief Justice and other things, it’s a serious matter and we’re thinking of taking appropriate measures,” Mr Joshi was quoted as telling new agency ANI.
The action would come under a rule that says that a member “shall not reflect upon the conduct of persons in high authority unless the discussion is based on a substantive motion drawn in proper terms.”
Mahua Moitra put out a defiant tweet. “It would be a privilege indeed if a breach of privilege motion is initiated against me for speaking the truth during India’s darkest hour,” she posted.
It would be a privelege indeed if a breach of privelege motion is initiated against me for speaking the truth during India’s darkest hour
— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) February 8, 2021
BJP MPs had objected to the Trinamool MP’s remarks on grounds that retired Justice Gogoi was a Chief Justice.
But sources say legal opinion was in favour of Mahua Moitra as she spoke about a former, not sitting, Chief Justice who currently does not count as a “higher authority”.
Ms Moitra’s comments, which caused a furore in the Lok Sabha, were expunged and the reason was this: “These remarks are against the judiciary.”
In a fiery speech, Ms Moitra also said, referring to the crackdown on farmer protests, that “India is in a state of undeclared emergency” and accused the government of making propaganda and disinformation “a cottage industry”.
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