Opposition members raise voice in RS

The telecast and publication of the expunged remarks of Samajwadi Party MP Naresh Agrawal by a TV channel and some newspapers invited the ire of several Opposition members in the Rajya Sabha on Friday. Taking note of their request for privilege proceedings, Chairman Hamid Ansari asked the Secretariat to issue a show cause notice.

Ahead of the Question Hour, Mr. Ansari said: “I have heard this morning’s proceedings. I have received notice from some members raising a question of privilege against a TV channel and some newspapers for making defamatory remarks against a member of this House. The Secretariat has been asked to issue a show cause notice and further inquire into the matter.”

Mr. Agrawal, who had made the controversial remarks during a debate on “mob lynching” two days ago, first raised the issue during the Zero Hour. He alleged that he had received threats and that members of the BJP’s youth wing Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha had vandalised his house in the national capital.

The SP member then said that if a member was being threatened for speaking in the House, it was a disrespect of not only the MPs, but also the House. “Isn’t it [like] lynching…?” he asked.